Is Franchise Tag an option for Darnold?

[purplefaithful]

I agree it should have been a 2 year contract with Darnold, 2nd year being an option year. But thats a hindsight perspective cause nobody knew how good he would be in this ecosystem and that JJM would end-up on IR after playing 1/2 of pre-season game 1.

One morning I wake-up convinced they should tag Sam and the next day I'm at peace with a QB room of JJM/Dimes...

Very interesting situation...

Has Darnold earned himself an extension here? In a vacuum he has in spades.

[MaroonBells]

I agree it should have been a 2 year contract with Darnold, 2nd year being an option year. But thats a hindsight perspective cause nobody knew how good he would be in this ecosystem and that JJM would end-up on IR after playing 1/2 of pre-season game 1.

One morning I wake-up convinced they should tag Sam and the next day I'm at peace with a QB room of JJM/Dimes...

Very interesting situation...

Has Darnold earned himself an extension here? In a vacuum he has in spades.

I keep saying this but I'm torn. It basically comes down to added security at the QB position in Sam vs. a shit ton of money in free agency. It's tempting to go with security, but I think they take the money. It's still early though too. A more obvious answer might present itself in the next 4-6 weeks.

[Montana Tom]

keep hearing about the speculation on compensatory picks from Darnold and Jones, with the amount of money we have to spend,  and the holes and weaknesses we have to address,  I have a hard time believing that we are going to be in line for any comp picks.  if they hope to get anything from SD, IMO they are going to need to sign him and then trade him ( or tag and trade as the story calls for ) personally I think they could likely find some sort of deal that SD would be open to,  much more so than Jones agreeing to sign here on the cheap as the potential back up for JJM IMO.

Jimmy, we would be in line for a comp pick on Jones if he was on the active roster for any game this season and then signs elsewhere next season.
So let's just say that he's activated for the last game of the regular season against Detroit (and Mullens is inactived). 
And Jones signs with whomever sucks this season and needs a rehabilitated QB that went to the KOC QB University.
I believe I read that we receive a 4th round compensatory pick in that event.

[purplefaithful]

I keep saying this but I'm torn. It basically comes down to added security at the QB position in Sam vs. a shit ton of money in free agency. It's tempting to go with security, but I think they take the money. It's still early though too. A more obvious answer might present itself in the next 4-6 weeks.

^^

Bingo - hopefully the situation become crystal clear for the front office. IF Sam continues to play at this level? Well, then it wont be.

[Montana Tom]

Darnold's salary history since he came into the league is interesting.
Team signed with: Jets
2018-2022
Rookie
Sam Darnold signed a 4 year , $30,247,715 contract with the New York Jets, including $20,078,338 signing bonus, $30,247,715 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,561,929.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $30,247,715
Average Salary:
$7,561,929
Signing Bonus:
$20,078,338
GTD at Sign:
$30,247,715
Total GTD:
$30,247,715


Team signed with 49'ers
2023-2023
Free Agent
Sam Darnold signed a 1 year , $4,500,000 contract with the San Francisco 49ers, including $1,500,000 signing bonus, $3,500,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,500,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $4,500,000
Average Salary:
$4,500,000
Signing Bonus:
$1,500,000
GTD at Sign:
$3,500,000
Total GTD:
$3,500,000
Free Agent:
2024 / UFA

Team signed with Vikings
2024-2024
Free Agent
(CURRENT)
Sam Darnold signed a 1 year , $10,000,000 contract with the Minnesota Vikings, including $6,250,000 signing bonus, $8,750,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $10,000,000. In 2024, Darnold will earn a base salary of $2,500,000, a signing bonus of $6,250,000 and a workout bonus of $250,000, while carrying a cap hit of $5,000,000 and a dead cap value of $8,750,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $10,000,000
Average Salary:
$10,000,000
Signing Bonus:
$6,250,000
GTD at Sign:
$8,750,000
Total GTD:
$8,750,000
Free Agent:
2025 / UFA

[JimmyinSD]

Jimmy, we would be in line for a comp pick on Jones if he was on the active roster for any game this season and then signs elsewhere next season.
So let's just say that he's activated for the last game of the regular season against Detroit (and Mullens is inactived). 
And Jones signs with whomever sucks this season and needs a rehabilitated QB that went to the KOC QB University.
I believe I read that we receive a 4th round compensatory pick in that event.

Unless we sign a player to a similar contract,  i dont see Jones breaking the bank so its very possible that his deal gets negated by our own free agent signing.

[MaroonBells]

Unless we sign a player to a similar contract,  i dont see Jones breaking the bank so its very possible that his deal gets negated by our own free agent signing.

QB contracts tower over all others. For example, I think the biggest contract given to a non-QB in the 2024 free agent class was Chris Jones at $31M per. That would rank 21st among QBs.