Quarterback Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings had a magical season this year.
They won a surprising 14 games in the regular season, and if it hadn’t been for the Detroit Lions, Minnesota would likely have had home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Regarding Darnold, the former USC Trojan turned in a Pro Bowl season while playing on a one-year deal.
However, the Vikings were trounced in the wildcard round by the Los Angeles Rams.
That prompted Fox Sports personality Rob Parker to take the route of not paying the free-agent-to-be in Darnold.
“I’m out on Sam Darnold, and I’m not going to offer him a franchise tag…They moved up to get (J.J. McCarthy),” Parker said Tuesday on Fox Sports Radio.
?️@robparkerMLBbro: "I'm OUT on Sam Darnold, and I'm not going to offer him a franchise tag."
?️@Kdubblive: "I'm not gonna be a prisoner of the moment in these last couple of games and ignore what he did this past season…If I got 14 and 3 out of him, why get rid of him?" pic.twitter.com/qKQh2jxs12
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) January 15, 2025
There is no doubt that the Vikings have a predicament on their hands.
However, it could be a good predicament, considering some teams (Tennessee Titans, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, etc.) cannot seem to find competent quarterbacks.
If the Vikings were to pay Darnold, they’d have to ask themselves if they want to pay him around $50 or $60 million over the next four or five years, seeing as that is what the market is dictating.
They could also sign him to a two—or three-year deal that rewards him for the season and allows McCarthy to replace him once his contract expires.
But it also depends on what Darnold’s camp believes he is owed, given that he set career highs in passing yards (4,319), touchdown passes (35), and passer rating (102.5) this season.
NEXT: Analyst Blames Kevin O’Connell For Playoff Loss To Rams
