Limited market for Darnold?

[StickierBuns]

From Charles Robinson, Sr. Writer YahooSports:

"Matthew Stafford decided to compromise and stay put with the Los Angeles Rams. Now league sources are predicting a similar outcome with the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold, who may be facing a weaker set of free agency options than anticipated.
Multiple sources who spoke with Yahoo Sports: "... following the conclusion of the NFL scouting combine — including a handful of team executives and agents with interest in the quarterback market — believe Darnold is going to lack the robust free-agent market that was anticipated for much of his 2024 breakout season. Instead, there is growing consensus that Darnold’s best option will be to work out a one- or two-year contract with the Vikings for $25 million to $30 million a season, giving the two sides an opportunity to either do a new deal next offseason or for Darnold to re-enter free agency in 2026. “You’d think the supply and demand is on the side of the quarterbacks this offseason because there really aren’t enough good ones to go around, but the landing spots aren’t really very attractive, either,” said one prominent NFL agent with a history of doing big quarterback deals. “I just think Darnold’s market is a lot softer than people realize, and his best setup is going to be staying in Minnesota another year.”

His value was exaggerated by the media of course. And unfortunately I think this year's FA class is going to be not all that either. So back to Darnold: why sign him again? To protect against JJM sucking? But if the rest of the NFL is lukewarm on Darnold in a free agent scenario and you have a 'franchise QB' ready to go and move forward with.....why again? I'd rather have Danny Dimes in the mix. Why run it back again with Darnold? Minnesota's league leading 33 turnovers on D led to that 14 win record more than Darnold did....and Sam had a really good year.

[JustInTime]

From Charles Robinson, Sr. Writer YahooSports:

"Matthew Stafford decided to compromise and stay put with the Los Angeles Rams. Now league sources are predicting a similar outcome with the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold, who may be facing a weaker set of free agency options than anticipated.
Multiple sources who spoke with Yahoo Sports: "... following the conclusion of the NFL scouting combine — including a handful of team executives and agents with interest in the quarterback market — believe Darnold is going to lack the robust free-agent market that was anticipated for much of his 2024 breakout season. Instead, there is growing consensus that Darnold’s best option will be to work out a one- or two-year contract with the Vikings for $25 million to $30 million a season, giving the two sides an opportunity to either do a new deal next offseason or for Darnold to re-enter free agency in 2026. “You’d think the supply and demand is on the side of the quarterbacks this offseason because there really aren’t enough good ones to go around, but the landing spots aren’t really very attractive, either,” said one prominent NFL agent with a history of doing big quarterback deals. “I just think Darnold’s market is a lot softer than people realize, and his best setup is going to be staying in Minnesota another year.”

There must have been near zero chatter during the Combine. Doesn’t make sense. This league is STARVING for good young QBs. There’s, imo, exactly 1 QB worthy of a first this year. After that you’ve got Rodgers, Wilson, Fields and Minshew. I’m taking Darnold on a Mayfield deal before I commit to anyone but Ward. And if Drew Allar is your best option for next year, good luck.

[StickierBuns]

There must have been near zero chatter during the Combine. Doesn’t make sense. This league is STARVING for good young QBs. There’s, imo, exactly 1 QB worthy of a first this year. After that you’ve got Rodgers, Wilson, Fields and Minshew. I’m taking Darnold on a Mayfield deal before I commit to anyone but Ward. And if Drew Allar is your best option for next year, good luck.

So either the media is really REALLY wrong right now about Darnold's value and next week we'll be surprised or they hyped his value without really knowing what NFL GMs thought. Either way could be correct because I think the media is worse than its ever been about lying about 'sources'. But I don't think an anomaly year with Minnesota's offensive talent washed away all the stink from Darnold, especially the way it ended.

[comet52]

Why pay him 25 if there's "no market"? Offer him 15. I mean I personally wouldn't waste next year on the guy and all his mental cramps, it's JJM time for me. But I expect the Vikings to do something stupid, they rarely let me down in that department.

[MaroonBells]

There must have been near zero chatter during the Combine. Doesn’t make sense. This league is STARVING for good young QBs. There’s, imo, exactly 1 QB worthy of a first this year. After that you’ve got Rodgers, Wilson, Fields and Minshew. I’m taking Darnold on a Mayfield deal before I commit to anyone but Ward. And if Drew Allar is your best option for next year, good luck.

You're right. It doesn't make sense. But I think when free agency actually begins we're going to see a few things happen that either puts the market back in logical perspective or explains why it's so far off.

[purplefaithful]

I dont want to pinch FA for us. Plus it's McCarthy time for me...

I hope Sam lands in a good spot. Personally, I hope Tomlin and Steelers make a play for him.

There are plenty of "decent" back-up QB's available for us if Dimes leaves.

[pattersaur]

I'm sticking to my belief that it doesn't make sense for the Vikings to bring Darnold back to compete. They saw him for a full year. They've had JJM in the building for a year. They also had Daniel Jones around for some reason.

KAM, KO, and everyone need to make a decision today, not pay Darnold $30+M for another year so they can get more data and face this exact same scenario next offseason. Talk about spinning wheels.

Just doesn't make sense to me and I won't believe they're going this route (Sam and JJ both back) until they actually do it. If Darnold wants to come back for $10M again then sure my boy, come on back! Otherwise, pass.

[MAD GAINZ]

I'm sticking to my belief that it doesn't make sense for the Vikings to bring Darnold back to compete. They saw him for a full year. They've had JJM in the building for a year. They also had Daniel Jones around for some reason.

KAM, KO, and everyone need to make a decision today, not pay Darnold $30+M for another year so they can get more data and face this exact same scenario next offseason. Talk about spinning wheels.

Just doesn't make sense to me and I won't believe they're going this route (Sam and JJ both back) until they actually do it. If Darnold wants to come back for $10M again then sure my boy, come on back! Otherwise, pass.

That's exactly it, the only way it makes sense to bring back Darnold if it's a low dollar amount like we did last season (1-yr and 10-15 million).  Have him compete with JJ and either way we have a high upside backup in 2025.

I can't believe that would happen with all the QB needy teams and Darnold showing his statistical ceiling and being a factor in a 14 win season.  I'm guessing the "luke warm" market was in a tag/trade scenario.  I'd expect his market to heat up now that teams know who is/isn't tagged and Stafford isn't going anywhere.

It never made sense for the Vikings to give him 30+ million when we basically said no to Kirk and wanted to pivot to a high upside rookie and build a roster around that rookie contract.  We'd just be signing up for more "Kirk" years...

Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to bringing in another "failed" top 10 QB in Justin Fields to backup/compete with JJ.  I think we could get him for cheaper and still have a backup behind JJ that has some upside.

[hogjowlsjohnny]

I was bullish on the Vikings last year mainly due to the faith I placed in KOC and Flores. I knew the Vikings had the potential to be pretty good and only needed a game manager QB who protected the ball and a better run game.
The run game was better but not good enough. And Darnold exceeded expectation until it counted. That 14-3 season was as much due to having a good defense as what Darnold did. I wish him well and thank him for a very good season. It's time to continue building for the future with cap dollars, unless he signs a very cheap contract to stay or Kwesi can find a way to sign and trade him for draft capitol.

[MaroonBells]

That's exactly it, the only way it makes sense to bring back Darnold if it's a low dollar amount like we did last season (1-yr and 10-15 million).  Have him compete with JJ and either way we have a high upside backup in 2025.

I can't believe that would happen with all the QB needy teams and Darnold showing his statistical ceiling and being a factor in a 14 win season.  I'm guessing the "luke warm" market was in a tag/trade scenario.  I'd expect his market to heat up now that teams know who is/isn't tagged and Stafford isn't going anywhere.

It never made sense for the Vikings to give him 30+ million when we basically said no to Kirk and wanted to pivot to a high upside rookie and build a roster around that rookie contract.  We'd just be signing up for more "Kirk" years...

Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to bringing in another "failed" top 10 QB in Justin Fields to backup/compete with JJ.  I think we could get him for cheaper and still have a backup behind JJ that has some upside.

While I do see some wisdom in adding legitimate security to a QB room whose only occupant is a 22 year old kid who has not taken a meaningful snap in the NFL, I do question the value of that security. A QB like Darnold, who already knows the offense, and has proven capable of running it, certainly has value. I’m just not sure how many dollars I’d invest in it on a 1-year deal. On 2 years it gets a little more interesting.

Never been a Fields fan, even before he was drafted. But I like the potential ROI on a young QB with his tools in a KOC offense. I like it a lot more than Minshew, Rodgers, Winston, et al.