This 12 months seems a bit mild on franchise tag candidates, however the Vikings do have essentially the most vital determination to make earlier than the March 4 tag deadline.
Sam Darnold has come up as a participant the crew will contemplate tagging, regardless of his robust end to his debut Minnesota season, and J.J. McCarthy‘s restoration timeline stands to issue into the Vikings’ determination. McCarthy has undergone two surgical procedures after struggling a meniscus tear within the preseason. Whereas loads of time stays between now and Week 1, final 12 months’s No. 10 total decide seems to have a methods to go in his restoration.
McCarthy nonetheless has “vital” work to do by way of rebuilding his physique after the damage, in keeping with the Washington Submit’s Jason La Canfora, whose latest conversations with quite a few NFL execs level to the NFC North crew defending itself earlier than the tag deadline. The Vikings shouldn’t be anticipated to let Darnold hit free company, La Canfora notes. This might take the highest QB possibility off the market, however given the Vikes’ state of affairs, it will be comprehensible in the event that they sought high-priced insurance coverage.
The Vikings have been in talks with Darnold, who could be eligible to talk with different groups starting March 10 when the authorized tampering interval begins. Darnold’s greatest monetary play would most likely be hitting the market and signing with a starter-needy crew, one that might be able to authorize a number of assured years on a contract that might be anticipated to high $30M each year. The Baker Mayfield value vary got here up for Darnold just lately; Darnold’s ex-Panthers teammate re-signed with the Buccaneers for 3 years and $100M simply earlier than free company final 12 months.
Whereas Minnesota might take this route in an effort to keep away from a $40M-plus cap maintain clogging its payroll as a consequence of a franchise tag, McCarthy’s presence represents a moderately notable distinction between this example and the one Tampa Bay navigated in 2024. Darnold additionally might conceivably be leery of re-signing on a multiyear deal as a consequence of McCarthy’s presence.
McCarthy’s rookie contract can run by way of 2028 by way of the fifth-year possibility, and whereas a report after Week 17 — a essential juncture on the Darnold Minnesota timeline, as a consequence of his struggles within the two video games that adopted — indicated groups would name the Vikes on McCarthy. No indications have emerged suggesting the Vikings would entertain buying and selling a participant round whom they centered their 2024 offseason.
If McCarthy does must take main steps ahead by way of rehab and acclimating to the NFL, the Vikings holding Darnold — after a breakthrough season that produced a 14-3 file, an original-ballot Professional Bowl nod and a Kevin O’Connell Coach of the 12 months honor — would make sense no matter price. Minnesota is projected to hold greater than $58M in cap house.
Whereas a Darnold tag would throw a wrench into the Vikings’ potential to retain free brokers Byron Murphy, Camryn Bynum and Aaron Jones, prioritizing a quarterback would stand to supersede retaining starters elsewhere.
Although, the Vikings are coming off a season during which they noticed a $10M QB make a surprising leap. A second Darnold 12 months additionally cuts into Minnesota’s potential to construct round McCarthy’s rookie contract.
O’Connell additionally elevated Kirk Cousins‘ play, and the crew additionally labored with Daniel Jones for practically two months to shut the season. Jones could be a cheaper possibility, within the occasion the Vikings determine a Darnold franchise tag could be too expensive.
