NFL Insider Believes Sam Darnold Will Price Himself Out of Minnesota

Minnesota Vikings, Sam Darnold
Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Despite having low expectations this season, the Minnesota Vikings won 14 games and played in a playoff game. It’s unfortunate that they lost to the Los Angeles Rams, but it doesn’t take away from the great year Sam Darnold achieved.

Next season the Vikings will have the opportunity to turn the reigns over to J.J. McCarthy. If they deem him to be unready, another bridge quarterback may make sense. Sam Darnold’s paycheck may make it tough for him to fit that bill.

MN Vikings may not want to bite off a Sam Darnold paycheck

On a one-year deal at just $10 million, Sam Darnold proved to be among the best commodities in the sport this season. He’s not going to come that cheap next year, and a $40 million franchise tag may be the lowest it gets. ESPN Insider Dan Graziano certainly doesn’t see it happening.

“My anticipation on Darnold is that he will probably have a FA market that prices himself out of what Minnesota wants to do given that J.J. McCarthy is coming there…So where does that leave Sam Darnold?… I’ll be surprised if he’s back on the Vikings.”

Dan Graziano on Darnold’s situation with Minnesota (Unsportsmanlike Radio)

Graziano recently projected the contracts of top free agents. Realistically, the Baker Mayfield contract should be Sam Darnold’s threshold and there’s no reason for the Minnesota Vikings to pay that. The cap situation is generous, even after extending Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw, because of McCarthy’s rookie deal.

Ultimately Graziano lands on a three-year deal worth $120 million. The $75 million guarantee would be a nice bump from the $8.75 million that he got as a guarantee from the Vikings. The average annual value, as Graziano points out, puts Darnold at 15th amongst NFL quarterback.

Related: Jefferson Flops, Darnold Shines Repping Vikings During NFL Skills Competition

Any new franchise, regardless of where that is, should be banking in a level of skepticism and insurance with Darnold. They don’t have Kevin O’Connell as a head coach, and their offensive weapons are not close to what Darnold worked with this season.

If the Vikings are going to opt for a veteran insurance policy to give McCarthy a bit more time now that he’s healthy, there are other options. In fact, one of them signed with Minnesota down the stretch.

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