Report: Vikings unlikely to franchise tag Darnold

The Minnesota Vikings aren't expected to franchise tag quarterback Sam Darnold ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

However, the Vikings are still interested in re-signing Darnold, who's slated to become a free agent, Schefter adds.

Darnold would've made $40.2 million guaranteed in 2025 if Minnesota placed the franchise tag on him, according to Over The Cap.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said earlier this offseason that Darnold "earned the right to be a free agent," but the team would continue discussions with the quarterback about his future, per ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

Minnesota signed Darnold to a one-year contract last offseason, and he converted it into a breakout 2024 campaign. Darnold went 14-3 and threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns. Despite the positive results, he struggled in his last two games, with the Vikings losing a Week 18 contest to the Detroit Lions and a wild-card matchup to the Los Angeles Rams.

If Darnold, who will be 28 when the 2025 season kicks off, doesn't return, J.J. McCarthy would likely take over as quarterback. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in last year's draft, missed all of his rookie season following meniscus surgery.