Keeping JJM will be a business decision

[supafreak84]

Another thing Doogie mentioned on Skor North, if they tag and trade Darnold they would get picks in the 2025 draft.  If they let him walk they wouldn't get the comp pick until the 2026 draft.

That sounds great, but I think his poor performances in the two biggest games of the season not only hurt his own earning potential in free agency but probably hampers the Vikings in terms of a sign and trade. I'm guessing teams will have a wide range of opinions on Darnold and just what his value is and that hurts the Vikings in trading him.

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Well maybe I'm wrong. Jeremy Fowler at ESPN reporting several teams will be interested in Darnold and projects him to get a 3 year deal in the 100 million dollar range.

[purplefaithful]

That sounds great, but I think his poor performances in the two biggest games of the season not only hurt his own earning potential in free agency but probably hampers the Vikings in terms of a sign and trade. I'm guessing teams will have a wide range of opinions on Darnold and just what his value is and that hurts the Vikings in trading him.

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Well maybe I'm wrong. Jeremy Fowler at ESPN reporting several teams will be interested in Darnold and projects him to get a 3 year deal in the 100 million dollar range.

I think you are underestimating the mkt for QB starved teams...Sam crapped the bed the last 2 BIG GAMES and consequently I dont want him here for the long-term. 

Not when we have a top 10 QB with the ceiling of a McCarthy on the roster/rook contract. 

If we didnt have JJ, I'd be hoping Sam signs here and could continue to grow and get better situationally. 

KOC too for that matter.

[Padre]

If JJM isn't ready, then I'm down to roll with Danny Dimes. We were due for a down year and we didn't get one this time around. Take the next year and work on rebuilding the line. Sorry Danny, but this is your redemption tour and it might come with a little wear and tear. The focus of this year to me should be interior O-line and interior D-line.

For Sam? If we can tag him and get anything for him it is better than nothing. Sam will do "well" for some team, it just doesn't need to be us. I know that might seem like a dick move to tag him, but he wouldn't even be in this position if it wasn't for the Vikes.

[MAD GAINZ]

One thing I'll say is the Vikings weren't afraid to walk from Cousins when his deal was coming up. I don't think they'll be afraid to walk from Darnold either... especially when you have a HC who has proven he can get the most out of his QBs, and elite production from QBs with good talent (Cousins and Darnold).

KOC believes JJ McCarthy is a franchise QB and he has the physical skills and intangibles you want. He may not reach the statistical heights of Cousins or Darnold next year as a first time starter, but that doesn't mean we can't win games or have success.

I'm guessing the Vikings are going to stay tight lipped on this for a bit. They have a couple different options to fill out their QB room and I'm sure they are weighing what Darnold and Daniel Jones are feeling right now. I'll say with certainty that JJ will be here competing for the starting job.

[MaroonBells]

I think you are underestimating the mkt for QB starved teams...Sam crapped the bed the last 2 BIG GAMES and consequently I dont want him here for the long-term. 

Not when we have a top 10 QB with the ceiling of a McCarthy on the roster/rook contract. 

If we didnt have JJ, I'd be hoping Sam signs here and could continue to grow and get better situationally. 

KOC too for that matter.

This is an every year occurrence. People underestimate the need, underestimate the contracts and underestimate what teams are willing to give up for them. There are plenty of teams out there with nothing at QB and very little hope of finding something. I don't care what Sam did in his final two games—many will put some of the blame on the OL for that—14 wins, 4300 yards, 35 TDs and a 102 rating, and how he looked doing it all, is going to speak volumes when you're looking at the likes of Desmond Ridder and Bailey Zappe.

[supafreak84]

This is an every year occurrence. People underestimate the need, underestimate the contracts and underestimate what teams are willing to give up for them. There are plenty of teams out there with nothing at QB and very little hope of finding something. I don't care what Sam did in his final two games—many will put some of the blame on the OL for that—14 wins, 4300 yards, 35 TDs and a 102 rating, and how he looked doing it all, is going to speak volumes when you're looking at the likes of Desmond Ridder and Bailey Zappe.

We'll see. I think the problem with Darnold is you have years of bad tape, bad performances, and just this year where he bounced back under KOC and the weapons in this offense only to play absolutely abysmal when the most was on the line. If I'm say the GM in Tennessee, I'm opting to continue to look at and develop Will Levis before giving Sam Darnold a 100 million dollar contract. Most of these teams with QB problems are not good teams and have problems outside of quarterback. Good chance Darnold doesn't succeed in that type of environment and you have to be a realist as a GM with where you are at as a roster before bringing Darnold in as your starter. I don't think you'll ever see Darnold have the same type of success as he had this year, with this roster and team.

[Canthony]

JJ isn't going to get traded. When they said it will be a business decision is when I knew Sam was gone. I am hoping they can franchise and trade him. I will guess they won't tag him unless they already have a deal in place with a team for a trade. Just my opinion.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

There is also the possibility the Vikings do sign Darnold and wait until a QB gets injured in preseason, or before the trade deadline, then trades him if JJM is the guy!

[mblack]

Why would they sign Darnold and tie up cap they desperately need just because they plan on trading him if and when someone comes calling? Think about how much that screws us regarding signing players, chemistry and learning the system.
Like I have said before, signing Darnold to any type of deal is short sighted if JJ is the future. We should let him walk. Worrying about what we could get for Darnold or that we will lose him for nothing is simply the wrong approach. Getting “something” for Darnold should not be our focus. JJ and Daniel Jones should compete in training camp for the starting job. If we like Daniel Jones then we offer him a similar one year deal.
This team needs a lot of help plus players that need to be resigned.
We finally have the cap space to help address this.

[MaroonBells]

We'll see. I think the problem with Darnold is you have years of bad tape, bad performances, and just this year where he bounced back under KOC and the weapons in this offense only to play absolutely abysmal when the most was on the line. If I'm say the GM in Tennessee, I'm opting to continue to look at and develop Will Levis before giving Sam Darnold a 100 million dollar contract. Most of these teams with QB problems are not good teams and have problems outside of quarterback. Good chance Darnold doesn't succeed in that type of environment and you have to be a realist as a GM with where you are at as a roster before bringing Darnold in as your starter. I don't think you'll ever see Darnold have the same type of success as he had this year, with this roster and team.

I agree, it's unlikely Sam is going to replicate what he did in Minnesota for another team. But he doesn't have to. That will not be the expectation. The hope for a team who signs him will be that he's on a new course and he continues developing. Plus, I don't think teams believe it was all system and weapons in Minnesota. Darnold learned a lot about playing QB from O'Connell and his staff. Still, Sam's new team would be wise to try to achieve some continuity for him by bringing over some of those pieces. 

Also, I  think the concerns you mention are already baked into Sam's value. Most people are talking a Baker-like deal (3 years, $100M). That is not a salary befitting a 27yo QB with 14 wins 4300 yards and 35 TDs. $100M for a QB is a pittance. It would rank 19th among NFL QBs.

Sure, Titans might choose to keep developing Levis, although I tend to think they've seen enough. But have you looked at the QB depth charts for the Raiders, Giants, Steelers, Jets, Browns? And the QBs available in free agency and draft? Yuck.