The Minnesota Vikings won't use their franchise tag to guarantee at least one more year of Sam Darnold, but the quarterback's time with the team might not be over.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that while Minnesota is not going to tag Darnold ahead of the 4 p.m. ET deadline on Tuesday, the two sides "will continue to work towards a deal that is best for both" Darnold and the Vikings.
According to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz, Minnesota and Darnold are discussing a short-term deal to bring him back to the Vikings. Schultz noted the two sides have a "mutual interest" in building off an outstanding 2024 season.
The Vikings could have used the franchise tag on Darnold to give them more time to discuss a deal, but Schultz reported that the $40.2 million price point was too high for Minnesota. He added that the Vikings "believed it would make negotiating a new deal more difficult while also limiting their ability to build out the rest of the roster."
Darnold joined Minnesota in 2024 having spent the last few seasons as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. He signed a one-year deal with the team with the understanding that he could compete with rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, though McCarthy's season-ending knee injury in August meant Darnold would be the starter.
He made the most of the opportunity, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, both of which were career highs for the seventh-year player. Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record, their most wins since 1998.
There were some negative moments for Darnold, namely his struggles in Minnesota's season finale against the Detroit Lions and the Vikings' wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Still, he used the 2024 season to prove himself capable of being a starting quarterback.
The breakout season for Darnold means he's bound to draw interest this offseason. Quarterback-needy teams like the New York Giants, Las Vegas Raiders and more will likely pursue him once free agency begins.
Whether Minnesota is willing to outbid those teams remains to be seen.
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