The Minnesota Vikings reportedly want to re-sign Sam Darnold but won’t use the franchise tag to retain him, multiple reports said on Monday.
The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET. Were the Vikings to use the franchise tag on Darnold, his salary would be a guaranteed $40.2 million for the upcoming season.
The Vikings and Darnold reportedly remain in discussions about a possible contract.
Darnold, 27, landed in Minnesota last winter on a one-year free agent deal, projected as the Vikings’ interim quarterback, particularly after the team subsequently used a first-round pick on QB J.J. McCarthy.
Darnold won the quarterback job in training camp, during which McCarthy sustained a season-ending right knee injury.
In the regular season, Darnold proved to be a revelation, leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record while completing 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, all career highs. He was intercepted 12 times.
The Minnesota Vikings reportedly want to re-sign Sam Darnold but won’t use the franchise tag
The surprise season earned Darnold a Pro Bowl selection, and he wound up 10th in MVP voting. The Vikings lost 27-9 to the Los Angeles Rams in a first-round playoff game.
Selected third overall by the Jets in the 2018 draft out of Southern California, Darnold had a 13-25 record as the starter over three years in New York.
He compiled an 8-9 record for the Carolina Panthers in 2021 and ’22 combined, then saw limited action as a backup for the San Francisco 49ers in 2023.
Overall, Darnold has a 35-38 record as a starter. In 83 NFL games (73 starts), he has connected on 61.2 percent of his passes for 16,383 yards with 98 touchdowns and 68 interceptions.
There are multiple quarterback vacancies in the NFL as it stands. The New York Giants are one, and said to be considering Aaron Rodgers for the role.
The Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans are also looking for a new signal caller.