How that looks contractually remains to be seen
It may not come as much of a surprise, but the Minnesota Vikings want Sam Darnold back under center next season. The Athletic’s NFL insider Dianna Russini is reporting that after talking to a Vikings’ team source, one thing is clear: the Vikings want Darnold back next season.
The original plan was for Darnold to be a one year- or less- bridge to top draft pick J. J. McCarthy, but two things happened to change that plan. First, McCarthy suffered a knee injury in August that has put his on-field development on hold until next spring. Second, Darnold is having a career year and playing so well – the story of the year according to Russini- the Vikings don’t want to just let him walk at season’s end.
There has been some speculation that the market price for Darnold may be closer to $30 million/year rather than a top of market $50+ million/year deal. The reason is that other teams who may have interest in Darnold may be skeptical of his performance without the Vikings’ offensive weapons and coaching. One comparison put forward is Derek Carr- Darnold may wind up being another Derek Carr outside the favorable quarterback situation in Minnesota.
Of course all that is out the window if Darnold ends up hoisting the Lombardi trophy in February, but the Vikings may franchise tag Darnold in any case for a little over $41 million and look to work out a shorter-term team-friendly deal, market conditions permitting. That would allow the Vikings the time to negotiate such a deal or at a minimum keep Darnold on the roster next season for something close to his market value if no deal is agreed.
Depending on Darnold’s market and his approach to contract negotiations and priorities, something close to a three-year, $100 million deal could be done- that’s probably close to what the Vikings would be willing to do. Much more than that and they’d probably stick with the one-year franchise tag deal. But a tag-and-trade deal doesn’t seem likely at this point as the Vikings want him on the roster next season.
Also, before any multi-year deal with Darnold, the Vikings need to extend Kevin O’Connell, whose contract expires after next season. Russini reports that a deal with O’Connell is expected soon.
Super Complications
The ultimate champagne problem for the Vikings comes if they win the Super Bowl. The Vikings would come under pressure to extend Darnold on a top-of-market deal or appear a scurvy employer unwilling to reward players for bringing home a championship. That scenario would upend roster and salary cap plans, and also likely eliminate any rookie contract value for J.J. McCarthy the Vikings were hoping to capitalize on. Those complications likely get worse if the Vikings lose Brian Flores to a head coaching job.
But there are at least two games and three playoff wins before the Vikings would have to consider that situation and how to turn a championship into a dynasty.
Stay tuned.
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