Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold entered Week 18 with momentum, but a pair of disappointing performances to close the season dampened his finish. However, he remains in a strong position as he approaches unrestricted free agency in March at just 27 years old.
A weak draft class and limited free-agent options have boosted Darnold’s market value, with contract projections ranging from $100 million to $160 million over three or four years. ESPN’s Benjamin Solak analyzed Darnold’s market on January 28, estimating an annual salary between $30 million and $40 million but with an important caveat.
“While signing Darnold to a four-year, $140 million deal might seem preposterous, I wouldn’t be shocked if those numbers materialize,” Solak wrote. “In reality, the contract would likely function more as a two-year, $70 million deal, with team options attached if Darnold performs well.”
Sam Darnold Expected to Draw Interest From Multiple Teams
Darnold’s potential price range creates uncertainty regarding how aggressively Minnesota will try to retain him. The Vikings already have rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 draft, and a well-structured offensive system under head coach Kevin O’Connell that could attract veteran competition or a backup should Darnold leave.
With a shortage of quality quarterbacks on the market, several teams are expected to pursue Darnold in free agency. Solak named the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New York Giants as potential suitors.
The Tennessee Titans, who hold the No. 1 overall pick, and the Cleveland Browns, selecting at No. 2, could also emerge as contenders for Darnold—though Tennessee appears the more likely of the two. The Browns are still committed to Deshaun Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million contract, which runs through 2026.
Vikings Could Control Sam Darnold’s Market With Franchise Tag
Given the demand for quarterbacks, the Vikings may consider using the franchise tag to retain control over Darnold’s future. The tag would cost Minnesota approximately $40 million for the 2025 season, but the move wouldn’t necessarily be about keeping him. Instead, the Vikings could tag and trade Darnold to recoup assets rather than losing him for nothing in free agency.
Darnold’s trade value is projected to fall between a late second-round pick or a third-rounder in 2025. Alternatively, the Vikings could receive a package of mid-to-late-round picks, such as a fourth-rounder and a sixth-rounder spread across the next two drafts. Currently, Minnesota holds only a first-round selection and two fifth-round picks in the upcoming draft.
