Will the Vikings Let Sam Darnold Walk for Free? NFL GMs and Agents Say No Chance

Should the Minnesota Vikings (a) sign Sam Darnold to an extension, (b) franchise tag him or (c) let him walk to free agency? Well, everyone and their friend, fiance, mom, dad and brother has an opinion on the Vikings quarterback situation and what they should do about it this offseason.

Without a doubt, Sam Darnold is coming off of one of the best quarterback seasons in Minnesota Vikings history. In 2004, the last year before Daunte Culpepper blew out his knee, the then 27-year-old QB led the league with 4,717 yards and finished second with 39 passing touchdowns. Both still stand as single-season Minnesota Vikings records.

Sam Darnold’s 4,319 yards stand as 3rd most in franchise history (2022 Kirk Cousins – 4,547); his 35 touchdowns are tied for 2nd most. It’s this performance that allowed Minnesota to finish the season with a 14-3 record, also the second best in Vikings history.

NFL GM: Minnesota Vikings would be stupid not to tag Sam Darnold

Yet, many around the NFL believe general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell are just gonna let a 27-year-old QB asset like that walk out the TCO Performance Center door with nothing more than a wave…oh, and some help in the Vikings’ 2026 compensation draft pick formula.

If you are an NFL team in need of quarterback help, does that sound too good to be true? In fact, it does. Not only is the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora hearing that JJ McCarthy “still has significant work to do to rebuild his body”, but multiple general managers from QB needy teams tell La Canfora that there is no way the Minnesota Vikings’ front office is stupid enough to let an asset like Darnold walk out the door for nothing.

Several executives from quarterback-needy teams, who would have at least some interest in Darnold, suggested he’s not going anywhere. I hear that J.J. McCarthy, who lost his entire rookie year to injury, still has significant work to do to rebuild his body, let alone adjust to the NFL. “They have to tag Darnold,” the first GM said. “Those guys aren’t stupid.”

Jason La Canfora – Washington Post

There seems to be an effort in the media world lately to normalize this idea that franchise or transition tagging Sam Darnold would be a risky maneuver for the Minnesota Vikings. They point to the cost, $40 million for one season.

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That’s where they cast their doubt over whether or not the Vikings would be willing to pay Darnold $40M, should no other team put up the requisite draft compensation needed to make a franchise tag and trade scenario work. Clearly, executives within QB needy front offices are laughing at this narrative.

Transition tag could be even better option for Darnold

Then, there is the transition tag, which would allow the MN Vikings to match any offer sheet another team were to write up for Darnold, come free agency. Why would this help the Vikings cash in for Sam Darnold?

Because, according to what one NFL agent tells La Canfora, offering teams would have to wait on Minnesota to decide whether or not to match their offer sheet. That’s a process that Kwesi and KOC can slow play for an entire week, which would leave that team in limbo while other free agent quarterbacks go off the board.

An agent for another free agent signal caller said: “Darnold will get the transition tag. It just makes too much sense. … Owners don’t like to sign guys to offer sheets, and if they do, Minnesota can string it out for five days deciding to match, and what if the other quarterbacks are gone by the time they decide? Can you really take that risk in March?”

Jason La Canfora – Washington Post

Related: Vikings, Aaron Jones Agree to Move Contract Void Date

I was starting to buy into the narrative being built that tagging Sam Darnold either (a) wouldn’t be worth it for the Minnesota Vikings or (b) it would be too risky. After reading this report from La Canfora, I am convinced the Vikings will tag their best free agent asset of the offseason. It’s just a matter of which tag they use.