Is Franchise Tag an option for Darnold?

I like Cowherd about half the time, but 4 weeks ago he said he couldn't 'trust' Darnold to make the Viking's a SB contender and now of course this from him, lol. He's also been a Darnold fan since he was drafted (from USC and grew up in San Clemente, so Cowherd loves that). Strong takes are where the national media lives, so setting the table with this as we see everyday from them.

If Darnold makes waves in the playoffs, hold onto your hats.

MaroonBells wrote:

It's not about the money. Unless the Vikings signed him just for the comp pick, which I doubt, I don't see a way that all three of Darnold, McCarthy and Jones are on this roster in 2025.

No, there is no way all 3 are on the roster for 25. 

I posted elsewhere, Dimes could end up the reason they dont tag Darnold. 

Lots to play out still and 4 crazy weeks ahead of us. Thats damn near 1/4 of the season still to go.

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.

JimmyinSD wrote:
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.

I agree with you. Of course the Vikings aren't going to sign and trade him to the Jets. Darnold would still be picking his destination, the Vikings franchise would just get to wet our beaks a little on the deal. Doesn't happen much in the NFL but it does in the NBA quite a bit. If the Vikings do decide to move on from Sam-- which I'm not sure they will-- I hope they can get some return, even if it's small relative to the value of a young athletic starting QB coming off a career year.

Why don’t more see this obvious?
Great take. (Bullazin post end of page1)
Use some cap to extend Sam. He’s earned it, either as latent talent realized, or KOC wizardry.
So we gave a fair amount of draft capital for McCarthy. So what? That’s over.
Huge mistake to tag-trade Sam, imo.

https://athlonsports.com/nfl/minnesota-vikings/sam-darnold-jj-mccarthy-kevin-oconnell-2025

JimmyinSD wrote:
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.

We have more than a couple guys who are in line for bigger, qualifying contracts that could net us compensatory picks.  

Obvious one is Darnold if a team signs him to a couple year deal for big money.  Then you have Byron Murphy who will get a big deal if we aren't able to keep him here.  Cam Bynum will get top safety money on the market if we can't re-sign him.  Daniel Jones would be eligible and maybe he doesn't stick around, maybe he does?  

I agree, we likely won't get a comp pick for all these guys since we'll be signing some guys in FA...  but our odds of getting at least one increase by having more guys that are talented enough to garner a comp pick if they leave for another team.

MAD GAINZ wrote:

We have more than a couple guys who are in line for bigger, qualifying contracts that could net us compensatory picks.  

Obvious one is Darnold if a team signs him to a couple year deal for big money.  Then you have Byron Murphy who will get a big deal if we aren't able to keep him here.  Cam Bynum will get top safety money on the market if we can't re-sign him.  Daniel Jones would be eligible and maybe he doesn't stick around, maybe he does?  

I agree, we likely won't get a comp pick for all these guys since we'll be signing some guys in FA...  but our odds of getting at least one increase by having more guys that are talented enough to garner a comp pick if they leave for another team.

I don't think the Vikings are going to sign a bunch of free agents, but I do see them signing a couple expensive ones. To get a comp pick, the Vikings simply have to sign fewer free agents than they lost. And they're going to lose a lot. In addition to the players you mention, they have a shit-ton of players on 1-year contracts. I don't see them re-signing many of them. 

Vikings also get a comp pick if Flores gets a head coaching job.

Now that I look into it, the Vikings might even get the maximum allotment of four comp picks. These are all the players on the Vikings who are not under contract in 2025 (and my opinion on how likely they are to be re-signed by the Vikings). 

Sam Darnold - unlikely
Cam Robinson - unlikely
Cam Bynum - likely
Byron Murphy - likely
Daniel Jones - iffy
Stephen Gilmore - unlikely
Aaron Jones - unlikely
Pat Jones - unlikely
Shaq Griffin - unlikely
Nick Mullens - unlikely
Jerry Tillery - unlikely
Dalton Risner - iffy
Jonathan Bullard - unlikely
Jalen Redmond - likely

....and a whole bunch of role players that likely won't factor into the comp formula, like Powell, Mundt, Akers, Moreau, etc

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.

purplefaithful wrote:
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.

JimmyinSD wrote:
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.

MaroonBells wrote:

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.

If KOC believe JJM has the upside ++ vs Darnold and the can spend on upgrading the D? That's a win.

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

MaroonBells wrote:


I don't think the Vikings are going to sign a bunch of free agents, but I do see them signing a couple expensive ones. To get a comp pick, the Vikings simply have to sign fewer free agents than they lost. And they're going to lose a lot. In addition to the players you mention, they have a shit-ton of players on 1-year contracts. I don't see them re-signing many of them. 

Vikings also get a comp pick if Flores gets a head coaching job.

The Vikings are also going to resign/extend some of their own, so that cap space is going to shrink fast this offseason. As you mention and I agree, maybe 2 big FA acquisitions will happen, probably in the OG/CB/Safety realm. Breaking the bank for Murphy would be a bad move, IMO. This is why Minnesota won't be paying Darnold $45+ million per to retain him.

Montana Tom wrote:

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.

JimmyinSD wrote:

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.

A 1 year, 10 million contract . Does Darnold have a no franchise tag in his current contract with the Vikings?

Mattyman wrote:
A 1 year, 10 million contract . Does Darnold have a no franchise tag in his current contract with the Vikings?

Can you imagine the Vikings or Darnold's agent thinking about a franchise tag clause when they put together the contract? That would be like me signing a pre-nup with Sydney Sweeney on the hopes we get married someday. 

I just don't think the tag and trade thing is an option for the Vikings. Players typically don't like getting franchised and I kinda think it goes against the Vikings brand/culture they try so hard to maintain.

MaroonBells wrote:

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.

I dont see that he showed enough with NY that says he is worth even that on his next deal.  He is going to have to take a prove it type deal IMO,  maybe 2-3 years at around $25 per year is where I think there may be value.  Personally i never saw the hype with him,  certainly not worthy of the nickname.

Unless signing your own free agents doesnt count against the formula,  i see to many key holes and areas of need to fill with just a couple draft picks to not have to be major players in FA if they hope to improve the roster for next year.

If Sam plays well, particularly if he wins a playoff game or two, the Vikings have no choice but to put a non-exclusive franchise tag on him. This allows Sam to pick his team and contract. If someone offers 3 years $75m with $45m guaranteed, and the Vikings don't match, we get 2 first round picks. Maybe we match.
If Sam wins playoff games, and looks good doing it, QB starved teams will pay the 2 first round picks and get a potential franchise QB on the cheap.

To do this, the Vikings will have to be prepared to pay Sam $41m if no other team makes an offer and he stays with the Vikings, which may not be a bad thing. If someone makes a multi-year offer, don't match and take the draft picks.

https://overthecap.com/franchise-transition-and-rfa-tenders

"Non-exclusive franchise tag: Much more common, these types of franchise tags allow the player in question to negotiate with other teams. If a team comes to the player with an offer, the original team has the opportunity to match that deal. If the original team declines, it will receive two first-round picks from the new team. The salary attached to an exclusive franchise tag is determined by either the average of the top five salaries at the player's position during the current year or 120% of that player's previous salary, whichever is higher."