Limited market for Darnold?

[comet52]

It's worth noting that the Vikings regime doesn't leak contract negotiations. When Jefferson signed it took all the local reporters by surprise.

So these "Sam Darnold is negotiating with the team for a new contract" stories that dropped everywhere this week like mouse poop in your basement are without a doubt coming from CAA (Sam's agent), not the team.

They are probably trying to pump up his market ahead of Monday's free agent frenzy.

[JustInTime]

This one won’t die.

[StickierBuns]

This one won’t die.

Rap is propagating this like he's got money on it, I don't see it anywhere else. 'Build a team around them'?? 2 QBs? 

Either Rap is an idiot or KOC is, where should we place our bet? Monday the tampering period starts, correct? Finally real actual signing news.

[JustInTime]

Rap is propagating this like he's got money on it, I don't see it anywhere else. 'Build a team around them'?? 2 QBs? 

Either Rap is an idiot or KOC is, where should we place our bet? Monday the tampering period starts, correct? Finally real actual signing news.

The only thing that makes sense is that they structure a deal for Darnold with minimal cap hit. I’m guessing multiple voidable years, heavily back loaded (phrasing) Mayfield type dollars. Then let someone panic when they realize Jaxson Dart isn’t a legit 1st or Sanders has a rag arm and is a prima donna. I’m looking at you Vegas. 

Or, they wait on the injury bug to hit a team that’s too good to pull a Minshew off the street and deludes themselves into thinking they can replicate KOC secret sauce.

But, yes. All this insanity ends next week with “legal tampering” season.

[comet52]

The only thing that makes sense is that they structure a deal for Darnold with minimal cap hit. I’m guessing multiple voidable years, heavily back loaded (phrasing) Mayfield type dollars. Then let someone panic when they realize Jaxson Dart isn’t a legit 1st or Sanders has a rag arm and is a prima donna. I’m looking at you Vegas. 

Or, they wait on the injury bug to hit a team that’s too good to pull a Minshew off the street and deludes themselves into thinking they can replicate KOC secret sauce.

But, yes. All this insanity ends next week with “legal tampering” season.

I see no scenario where Sam on the roster next year makes sense. Maybe if they trade away JJM but it's clear they aren't doing that.

Otherwise you're just setting up the proverbial QB controversy and an internal mess. As soon as Sam has a bad game and the fans are booing and yelling for the kid... imagine the joy on the sidelines at USB as this occurs.

Vikings have to pick a lane. Either you're building your future with the kid your coach loves, or for some reason you dump that kid and go with overrated mental midget Sam, and experience all the ensuing embarrassment and regret that surely will follow.

[StickierBuns]

I see no scenario where Sam on the roster next year makes sense.  Maybe if they trade away JJM but it's clear they aren't doing that.

Otherwise you're just setting up the proverbial QB controversy and an internal mess.  As soon as Sam has a bad game and the fans are booing and yelling for the kid... imagine the joy on the sidelines at USB as this occurs.

Vikings have to pick a lane.  Either you're building your future with the kid your coach loves, or for some reason you dump that kid and go with overrated mental midget Sam, and experience all the ensuing embarrassment and regret that surely will follow.

Bingo. 

[StickierBuns]

Adam Schefter's answer to that question has changed significantly compared to what he said Tuesday. Let's break it down:

Schefter on Tuesday: "We’ll see if a team like the New York Giants makes a compelling enough offer to pry Sam Darnold away. My guess, as we tape this, is no. My guess is the most sensible option is Minnesota."

By Friday (today), however, his stance changed when asked by KFAN's Paul Allen about the likelihood of Darnold returning to Minnesota.

"Not high," Schefter said. "Again, as we go over all these scenarios, they're all in play. But I think the Vikings is a down-low scenario. I don't view it as a likely scenario right now."

Something clearly changed to get Schefter to change his opinion in the span of three days, and it's an indication that Minnesota may be preparing to lose Darnold in free agency and hand the quarterback keys to 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy."

[comet52]

Adam Schefter's answer to that question has changed significantly compared to what he said Tuesday. Let's break it down:

Schefter on Tuesday: "We’ll see if a team like the New York Giants makes a compelling enough offer to pry Sam Darnold away. My guess, as we tape this, is no. My guess is the most sensible option is Minnesota."

By Friday (today), however, his stance changed when asked by KFAN's Paul Allen about the likelihood of Darnold returning to Minnesota.

"Not high," Schefter said. "Again, as we go over all these scenarios, they're all in play. But I think the Vikings is a down-low scenario. I don't view it as a likely scenario right now."

Something clearly changed to get Schefter to change his opinion in the span of three days, and it's an indication that Minnesota may be preparing to lose Darnold in free agency and hand the quarterback keys to 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy."

Here's my best guess:

Tuesday-Sam's agent: "Schefter, tell everyone the Vikings want Sam, we gotta pump up this here dogshit market. The best offer we have is a towel hamper and a 6 pack of Miller Lite from the Giants. He can't play in Met Life again, he'll see more phantoms than Dr. Venkman in Ghostbusters!"

Friday-Vikings: "Schefter, if you ever want anyone at TCO to take a call from you again, then quit peddling this Darnold bullshit. We're on to JJM as Belichick would say."

[StickierBuns]

For a piece published Friday, ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder explained why quarterback-needy teams should think twice before they give Darnold millions upon millions of dollars in guaranteed money:

"Darnold ranked only 14th in QBR (60.4) in the regular season," Walder noted, "...and the Vikings ranked 15th in offensive (expected points added) per play. He managed that barely-above-average level of efficiency with an offensive playcaller in (head coach) Kevin O'Connell who's widely considered one of the best in the league. Darnold also had the benefit of arguably the league's best wide receiver (in Justin Jefferson), a high-quality No. 2 in Jordan Addison and solid pass protection. He even played 54% of his snaps with the Vikings in the lead, the highest among all qualifying quarterbacks....Given that his numbers were more middling than great despite the favorable circumstances around him," Walder added, "I think Darnold is a below-average starter. That's not the type of player to whom I want to give a big multiyear guarantee."

[medaille]

Here's my best guess:

Tuesday-Sam's agent: "Schefter, tell everyone the Vikings want Sam, we gotta pump up this here dogshit market.  The best offer we have is a towel hamper and a 6 pack of Miller Lite from the Giants.  He can't play in Met Life again, he'll see more phantoms than Dr. Venkman in Ghostbusters!"

Friday-Vikings: "Schefter, if you ever want anyone at TCO to take a call from you again, then quit peddling this Darnold bullshit.  We're on to JJM as Belichick would say."

I don't think the Vikings care one way or the other on that rumor.  The more smoke the better.

It's just a dumb idea.  Darnold is the best option on the market, unless you're considering one year of Rodgers.  He'll likely have his choice of where he wants to go.  He probably just looked at all the people calling him stupid in his twitter feed and self-corrected.

---

For a piece published Friday, ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder explained why quarterback-needy teams should think twice before they give Darnold millions upon millions of dollars in guaranteed money:

"Darnold ranked only 14th in QBR (60.4) in the regular season," Walder noted, "...and the Vikings ranked 15th in offensive (expected points added) per play. He managed that barely-above-average level of efficiency with an offensive playcaller in (head coach) Kevin O'Connell who's widely considered one of the best in the league. Darnold also had the benefit of arguably the league's best wide receiver (in Justin Jefferson), a high-quality No. 2 in Jordan Addison and solid pass protection. He even played 54% of his snaps with the Vikings in the lead, the highest among all qualifying quarterbacks....Given that his numbers were more middling than great despite the favorable circumstances around him," Walder added, "I think Darnold is a below-average starter. That's not the type of player to whom I want to give a big multiyear guarantee."

It's interesting that KOC still maintains that aura of being a great offensive playcaller, despite not having a top offensive season while having a pretty stacked skill position group.  Not saying he's not, but his offenses have been top 10ish and he hasn't been able to run the ball.

That said I agree that teams shouldn't give Darnold boatloads of money, but he'll certainly be offered something in that Baker Mayfield region.  I can't see him getting less than 3 years / $100M, with at least 2 years guaranteed.