ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler appeared on SportsCenter today and dropped an interesting update on the situation regarding free agent quarterback Sam Darnold. While Darnold has been viewed as a potential franchise tag candidate, Fowler’s report seems to indicate that that would not be the most likely option for the Vikings. 
With the way the franchise tag costs are determined, the projected cost for tagging a quarterback is around $42.39MM. Minnesota’s stance is reportedly that they don’t intend to “mortgage their future” in order to retain the 27-year-old quarterback who led them to a 14-3 record last season. That doesn’t mean that the team isn’t open to retaining Darnold on a new contract. Fowler indicates that if Darnold fetches big bucks on the free agent market, they would likely let him walk, but a reasonable deal could see Darnold return for another season.
The main takeaway from the report is that the Vikings still view first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy as their future at the position. The No. 10 overall pick in last year’s draft missed his entire rookie season after fully tearing the meniscus in his right knee. The expectation is that, whether it takes six, 12, or 18 months, McCarthy will eventually take over as QB1, and if someone else is starting in 2025, it’s merely as a placeholder.
That mentality makes the approach to Darnold’s contract make a lot of sense. As much as the team would love to have Darnold back after his breakout season, a cost anywhere close to $40MM would be far too much for a bridge starter. Fowler offers that another veteran, Daniel Jones, would make far more sense as a re-signing. Jones spent the last six weeks of last season in Minnesota after getting waived by the Giants, giving him some familiarity. If the intention is to bring in a one-year starter until McCarthy is ready, Jones would certainly make more fiscal sense than Darnold.
It will all likely depend on just what Darnold fetches in the free agent market. The team is no longer expected to tag last year’s starter, and if his market isn’t very competitive, he may return on a reasonable deal. Otherwise expect McCarthy or a placeholder for McCarthy like Jones to be the plan for 2025.
lol. will never happen. you don’t draft a QB in the top ten and re-sign a bust
He wasn’t a bust.. he just happened to be drafted by a garbage team who had no idea how to develop a quarterback throughout their history. He was a top 10 pick because he had talent, it’s all about going to the right team
He’s still a bust. One elite year doesn’t outweigh the 6 years of subpar play, even if it’s Jets and Carolina.
He went from 3rd overall pick to back up QB in SF in 6 years. Definitely something a bust does.
But he’s revitalized his career and showing off the talent that made him the 3rd overall pick.
In order to get rid of the bust status Darnold is going to need to produce more good years than bad years in his career.
Just remember Case Keenum. One great year in Minnesota. Back up at best the rest of his career, yet he landed a pretty good contract. Darnold is that type of QB. The other shoe will drop should he start for the Vikings next year…or anyone else for that matter.
Possibly, but it is tough not to succeed with the receivers the Vikings have.
Darnold is no longer a bust. He’s a late bloomer who played for two of the worst franchises in the NFL at developing QB’s.
Darnold was exposed at the end of the 2024 season. He still collapses in the face of pressure. DC in 2025 will just tee off on Sam, even at the risk of allowing the occasional big play. There will be fumbles, interception and sacks to make up for the odd fluke catch. Especially divisional rivals as they know they will see Darnold twice a year. Making him see ghosts in game one, he won’t be able to play a decent game in game two. The only DC who won’t follow this playbook are weak teams with sad sack defensive lines. Playoff rivals almost always have a good pass rush.
Damaged goods. Not worth anything like a franchise tag. Like Cousins, Darnold might get you to the ball but you’re going home long before midnight.
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Darnold does have value on a lowball contract around $15 million if the team which signs him takes the other $30 million and puts it into a steel-plated offensive line. That protection money has to come from somewhere, and that somewhere is Darnold’s contract.
Darnold is no longer a bust after 1 year? No
If he plays well for the next half decade he can absolve himself of bust status. Hell if he wins a Super Bowl for Minnesota or anyone as their starter he can get rid of that status immediately.
But one season isn’t enough.
14 wins is more than a fluke. “Bust” is an overstatement.
He also has seasons of 4 wins, 7 wins, 2 wins, 4 wins, 4 wins.
I don’t think even Brady could’ve won on those “teams”.
Brady could beat 4 wins 2 wins 4 wins. The one year Darnold had 7 wins jets had a top 6 defense. Brady could have gotten them to the palyoffs that year.
That 2019 was terrible on offense. It’s hard for the qb to pass when there is no threat of a run. They averaged 3.3 yards per rushing attempt thar year. Jamison Crowder was their number 1 receiver,lol.He should never be your number 1 receiver if you want to win. They also had Robbie Chosen and an over the hill Dennaryus Thomas. No qb is going to have a chance with no running game and lackluster receivers.
Weird you say that cause way back in 2005 a young Tom Brady had 3.5 yards per carry Corey Dillion and a wr core of
Deon Branch 998 yards
David Givens 738 yards
Troy Brown 446 yards
Ben Watson 441 yards
Tim Dwight 312 yards
And went 10-6
Crowder at 833 yards and Chosen at 779 yards aren’t too far off what Branch and Givens gave Brady.
You do realize that young Tom Brady was 28 years old and it was his 6th season with the Pat’s. Darnold was 22 and in his second season with the Jets. Not a good comparison.
You are not a bust if you can lead your team to 14 victories. He is not great, but in the right situation is a serviceable qb.
4 wins, 7 wins, 2 wins, 4 wins, 4 wins
Servicable QB drafted 3rd overall? Pretty sure Jets had higher expectations than servicable QB taking him 3rd overall.
They had Aaron Roger’s this year, how many did they win? They are a terribly run franchise at present. Drafting QB”s that high is a crapshoor, and if I remember correctly the Jets were criticized for drafting him that high, much like the Giants when they drafted Daniel Jones. In general, drafting USC qb’s seems to be a bad idea
Comparing a 41 year old QB to a 21 22 23 year old QB is wild.
41 year old Rodgers also finished with 28 TDs
More than Darnold ever threw as a Jet – 17, 19, 9
Rodgers 11 ints matched Darnolds best year at 11, also had 15 and 13.
Not really helping your case Darnold isnt a bust when a 41 year old QB possibly high on ayahuasca every game performed significantly better in the same situation than a 21 22 23 old.
My point is that the Jets are a crappy organization and have been for a while. They obviously don’t know how to draft or develop quarterbacks(Wilson more recently).It’s not Darnolds fault he was drafted too high.
People keep talking about those last 2 games, but no one mentions that the offensive line sucked really in all 4 games against those 2 teams. The only 2 teams he lost to all season.
A bust doesn’t win 14 of 17 games and have a qb rating over 100. Those are the facts regardless of how anyone feels about his past.
So is Justin Fields no longer a bust cause he would have won 10-11 games in Pittsburgh had they just stuck with him instead of switching to wilson?
Why don’t they give him transition tag? If no one puts an offer in they get him on a 1 yr 27 mill deal. I f someone makes an offer and you don’t want to match it you still get decent draft compensation.. makes more sense