Let the Sam Darnold sweepstakes start.
The Minnesota Vikings didn’t use the franchise tag on the 27-year-old quarterback earlier than Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, clearing Darnold to turn out to be certainly one of this offseason’s most in-demand free brokers.
The non-exclusive tag carried a $40.2 million wage for quarterbacks in 2025.
The Vikings stay focused on re-signing Darnold, based on ESPN, after he delivered a breakout season in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system.
Initially drafted No. 3 total by the Jets in 2018, Darnold was not presupposed to be the Vikings’ long-term reply at quarterback when he signed a one-year, $10 million contract with them final offseason.
However first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear throughout the preseason, paving the way in which for Darnold to be the Vikings’ season-long starter.
Darnold shattered his earlier profession bests by finishing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns whereas main the Vikings to a 14-3 report.
Nevertheless, Darnold struggled within the Vikings’ two greatest video games: a 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18 with the NFC North title on the road; and a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams within the wild card spherical of the postseason.
“I think it’s very important we all think about Sam’s body of work, what he was able to do this year, when not many people thought he would be able to lead a team to 14 wins,” O’Connell mentioned after that playoff defeat.
The Vikings may attempt to retain Darnold if they don’t imagine McCarthy is able to step in. McCarthy, 22, underwent two surgical procedures on his proper knee after the damage.
However the Vikings are anticipated to have competitors for Darnold, whom many evaluators undertaking to command a multi-year contract that exceeds $100 million in complete worth. The authorized tampering interval of the offseason begins Monday, permitting groups to barter with Darnold’s representatives.
Darnold spent his first three seasons with the Jets, going 13-25 with 45 landing passes towards 39 interceptions. The seven-year veteran additionally performed for the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers earlier than becoming a member of the Vikings.
The Vikings may additionally decide to re-sign Daniel Jones, who joined Minnesota’s observe squad after being launched by the Giants in November and was elevated to the lively roster for the playoffs.
Utilizing the non-exclusive franchise tag on a participant grants a crew the precise to match one other group’s provide, or to obtain two first-round draft picks as compensation. Solely two gamers acquired the tag this 12 months.
TEE HIGGINS, CINCINNATI BENGALS
That is the second 12 months in a row the Bengals tagged the large receiver, which means he would make $26.2 million in 2025 if he indicators the tender.
He earned $20.6 million final 12 months.
Higgins, 26, may as an alternative signal a long-term cope with the Bengals, who even have fellow star large receiver Ja’Marr Chase and move rusher Trey Hendrickson up for extensions.
The deadline to signal a tagged participant to a multi-year contract is July 15.
Higgins caught 73 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 video games final season. Quarterback Joe Burrow has publicly advocated for Higgins’ return.
TREY SMITH, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The prevailing perception is that the Chiefs tagged the Professional Bowl guard with the intention of signing him to a long-term contract, although they did tag and commerce away cornerback L’Jarius Sneed final offseason.
If he have been to play on the tag, Smith could be assured $23.4 million subsequent season.
Initially a sixth-round decide in 2021, Smith has since emerged as one of many NFL’s finest inside lineman.
Defending quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a precedence for the Chiefs, whose offensive line struggled badly of their 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in final month’s Tremendous Bowl LIX.
OSA ODIGHIZUWA, DALLAS COWBOYS
A couple of hours earlier than Tuesday’s deadline, the Cowboys reached a four-year, $80 million contract with the defensive sort out, based on NFL Media.
The deal consists of $58 million in assured cash.
Odighizuwa began all 17 video games for the Cowboys in every of the previous three seasons. Final 12 months, he set profession highs with 4.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 47 tackles.
Had they not reached an extension, the Cowboys have been anticipated to tag Odighizuwa, a four-year veteran whom they drafted within the third spherical in 2021.
The 26-year-old is the youthful brother of former Giants defensive finish Owa Odighizuwa.
Initially Revealed: March 4, 2025 at 1:08 PM EST
