As the Minnesota Vikings ride the wave of Sam Darnold’s resurgent season, they’re facing a financial crossroads that could reshape their roster strategy. Darnold, enjoying a formidable comeback season, has propelled the Vikings into playoff contention once again.
However, the latest valuation by Spotrac reveals a daunting challenge for Minnesota in retaining their star quarterback for 2025. With Darnold’s market value skyrocketing from around $35 million to a hefty $54.7 million, his future in Minnesota hangs in the balance.
The contract projections have ballooned to an eye-popping four-year, $218.6 million deal, signaling a lucrative opportunity for the 27-year-old should he hit the free agency market next spring. This scenario echoes the Vikings’ previous dilemma with Kirk Cousins, whose impressive stats secured him a significant contract with the Atlanta Falcons after leaving Minnesota. Cousins, with his four-year, $180 million pact, paved the way for Darnold, who was initially signed for a modest one-year, $10 million deal.
Darnold has delivered impressive numbers this season, amassing 4,319 passing yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. The Vikings also boasted their second-best record in franchise history at 14-3, with Darnold’s performance playing a crucial role. As postseason action looms, any further success could amplify his market value even more.
Despite these accomplishments, Minnesota must tread carefully before offering Darnold a blockbuster deal. Smart spending during free agency, previously made possible by not overspending on Cousins, has allowed the Vikings to augment their roster with key players like Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Aaron Jones.
With $71.3 million in cap space available next season, the Vikings have the flexibility to continue building around promising rookie J.J. McCarthy and enhance their team’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the cautionary tale in Atlanta, where the Falcons benched an aging Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., reminds Minnesota of the potential pitfalls of hefty veteran contracts. The Falcons now grapple with $40 million in dead money post-Cousins, complicating their plans to build a competitive team.
Given these dynamics, the Vikings are likely to use the franchise tag on Darnold, an option Over The Cap estimates will cost $41.3 million for quarterbacks next season. This move grants Minnesota a temporary reprieve, allowing them to reassess Darnold’s long-term potential while evaluating McCarthy’s readiness to step up.
Additionally, the franchise tag keeps open the possibility of a trade if a quarterback-hungry team seeks Darnold’s services, reminiscent of the New England Patriots’ move in 2009 when they dealt Matt Cassel to the Kansas City Chiefs. However, such trades involving tagged quarterbacks have been rare.
Ultimately, the decision rests on whether the Vikings see Darnold as the lynchpin of their future or if they’ll let another team pony up the cash, freeing them to explore other strategic paths. One thing’s certain: Sam Darnold has set the stage for a captivating offseason negotiation.
