Sam Darnold, a legend of the USC Trojans, found out Monday night which direction the Minnesota Vikings would like to take him. The franchise tag won’t be a part of his 2025 free agency destiny.
According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the storied USC quarterback is not anticipated to receive the tag from the NFC North team. However, this does not imply that Minnesota is giving Darnold carte blanche to leave the Vikings. “All parties are working through options to potentially keep him in Minnesota,” Rapoport said. The source further stated: “Darnold, who is set to hit free agency, has a situation best described as fluid.” For the Vikings, the news is both cautious and encouraging.
By not pivoting to the franchise tag option, it means Minnesota won’t have to set a $40.242 million price for the non-exclusive tender. Going the tag option also means keeping a player for one more year — unless there’s a team that can match the Vikings’ deal. Darnold is projected to earn a massive payday. The 2018 top five draft pick could earn a four-year, $160.5 million deal as Spotrac predicts. The Vikings, however, face multiple NFL teams seeking a QB — and likely will have the 2024 Pro Bowler high on their list.The 2018 top five draft pick could earn a four-year, $160.5 million deal as Spotrac predicts. The Vikings, however, face multiple NFL teams seeking a QB — and likely will have the 2024 Pro Bowler high on their list.
