The Minnesota Vikings face what general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah refers to as a “champagne problem” concerning Sam Darnold after a decisive win against Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons.
Darnold is expected to be the leading free-agent quarterback on the market this offseason and might land a substantial multi-year deal. It appeared inevitable that Darnold would become a starter elsewhere, leading the Vikings to shift to J.J. McCarthy and acquire another veteran stopgap to take on the Darnold position (similar to how Daniel Jones is currently trying out).
Nevertheless, after passing for 347 yards and five touchdowns, Darnold, the first Vikings quarterback to achieve that in a game in two decades, is showing he might be too exceptional to let go.
“To determine that, I inquired with a few executives Sunday night about their views on Darnold’s market.” It was speculated that he would secure a three-year deal worth $110 million, with over $40 million guaranteed. Another individual expressed that he believed the Vikings ought to think about using the franchise tag on him, despite the estimated cost exceeding $41 million, and mentioned that he would likely earn $40 million annually if he were to enter free agency,” Breer noted in a December 8 article.
That would be a great payout for Darnold, but it would only postpone the unavoidable if Minnesota continues to believe in McCarthy as their future quarterback.
In the meantime, Darnold would forfeit his ability to dictate his long-term future with a different team.
Ultimately, the NFL functions as a business, and the Vikings ought to work towards enhancing their value in Darnold.
Minnesota might apply the franchise tag on Darnold and trade him to an interested team. His skills should be in great demand due to a weak quarterback draft class and free agency options. The Vikings might acquire a first- or second-round draft pick in return for Darnold after placing the tag.
Nevertheless, the $41 million price for the 2025 season might be a major concern for several teams hoping to reach a more favorable agreement on their conditions. They might shift that money to the future by agreeing to a new contract with Darnold following the trade.
In general, the franchise tag would be a move against players that contradicts the culture of the Vikings organization. Allowing Darnold to have a voice in his possible trade location would be essential to alleviate the tensions surrounding the tag.
Thankfully, there is a robust group of teams that may seek a quarterback during the offseason.
Possible Destinations for Sam Darnold
The perfect team for Darnold is one that remains in playoff contention this season and lacks a high draft pick to secure a top-tier prospect.
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