The Minnesota Vikings may be heading for a quarterback switch by 2025. Regarding Sam Darnold, who helped lead last year’s squad to a stunning 14-3 record. New possibilities could be in the works as the Vikings have opted against applying the franchise tag to him, per CBS Sports Lead NFL Insider Jonathan Jones.
That decision leaves the door slightly ajar for Darnold to become a free agent on March 12. Had a franchise tag been placed upon him, it would have ensured his return for the 2025 season. However, at a whopping $40.2 million, such a price would have been too steep, especially considering that the Vikings had only paid him $10 million for 2024.
While the Vikings did not use the tag on Darnold, they do still want to negotiate a new contract for him, according to Jones. 27-year-old Darnold was set to finish the last season with the Vikings, who came in fifth in the league in passing yards with 4,319 yards and 35 touchdown passes-even on a one-year contract the last-minute substitution.
Before long, Darnold was further propelled to the starter position after McCarthy was sidelined with a knee injury in the preseason. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell alluded way back in the early part of February that they may allow Darnold to become a free agent, and it now appears that is indeed happening.
O’Connell on the 6th of February said, “He’s earned the right to be a free agent. But we will continue to have ongoing dialogue and discussions with him and his representation, as well as being really excited about J.J. McCarthy’s recovery from knee surgery for a torn meniscus.”
For most of the 2024 season, Darnold tore it up as one of the best quarterbacks in the league; however, his play started to slip late in the season.