Limited market for Darnold?

Canthony wrote:
I would be surprised to see a tag on Darnold. I have a feeling Darnolds camp was already told as such.

I don't think a tag is coming. The Vikings will already receive what, a 3rd if he just walks and signs elsewhere anyway right? The stories a week ago were the market will be robust for Sam.....now its 'limited'....tomorrow back to robust? Guess it depends which way the wind is blowing. Regardless, lets sign Danny Dimes to pair up with McCarthy and rock and roll.

JimmyinSD wrote:
I have a feeling some fans are going to be disappointed with our final QB room as I see neither QB resigning here.  I dont think we get as much of a comp pick from either leaving either as we will be making our own free agent acquisitions to somewhat offset their losses.

Legit possible outcome for sure.

supafreak84 wrote:
Rich Eisen listed his top 5 rumors he heard over the week at the NFL Combine. He lists #4 as Sam Darnold is the Vikings "plan A" at quarterback and intend to sign him to a multi year deal. Take it as you will...

If Minnesota signs Darnold according to this rumor, you may as well trade McCarthy then. And prepare yourself for the same ol' big game letdowns we've always grown accustomed to as Viking's fans cuz Sammy ain't it.

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 wrote:
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.

JustInTime wrote:
[twitter]https://x.com/rapsheet/status/1897813788155420956?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ[/twitter] 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.

comet52 wrote:
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.  [img]https://media3.giphy.com/media/3oFzlUq9gpFanxX1f2/200w.gif?cid=6c09b952sq7putr82k4jdi06f2gibg74ht23ezetqnl80oa1&ep=v1_gifs_search&rid=200w.gif&ct=g[/img]

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."

[img]https://i.imgflip.com/5ty8pt.png?a483648[/img]

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."