NFL Insider: Vikings 'More Likely to Let' Sam Darnold Leave Than Use Franchise Tag

Veteran quarterback Sam Darnold's time with the Minnesota Vikings reportedly appears to be set to end after just one year.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported that as Darnold prepares to enter free agency this offseason, the Vikings "seem more likely to let Darnold sign elsewhere and preserve their [franchise] tag."

Per Over The Cap, the franchise tag for quarterbacks is expected to exceed $41 million. Seifert explained that retaining Darnold using the franchise tag would be a costly move, but it wouldn't stand in the way of the development of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

"Using the tag on quarterback Sam Darnold would be an expensive way of ensuring his return while avoiding a longer-term commitment that would hinder J.J. McCarthy's eventual ascension," Seifert stated. "It could also be a way to elicit additional value by way of a trade, but that would require a knowledge that multiple teams would be willing to bid."

Seifert named cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who had a career-high six interceptions in 2024 and is entering his prime at 27 years old, as a more likely candidate to receive Minnesota's franchise tag.

Darnold is coming off a career year that included his first Pro Bowl selection, so he should generate interest from quarterback-needy teams this offseason.