NFL free agency rumors: Vikings ‘open to doing a deal’ with Sam Darnold

With the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine just around the corner, NFL free agency is about to kick into high gear.

While the league’s official legal tampering period does not begin until March 10, anyone who has made the trip to Indianapolis knows full well that the unofficial start to free agency comes during the Combine, often with discussions that take place late into the night at High Velocity, the bar at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis.

One of the big names to watch this free agency cycle? Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold turned in a dream season for the Vikings, putting Minnesota on the cusp of the top seed in the NFC.

While Minnesota lost in Week 18, and then the following week in the Wild Card Round, Darnold’s impressive season could put him in line for a big payday.

However, whether that happens in Minnesota remains to be seen, as the Vikings have 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy waiting in the wings.

According to a new report from ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Vikings are “open” to a new deal for Darnold, who played on a one-year contract this past season.

But the Vikings will not “mortgage” their future for his services.

“I’m told the Minnesota Vikings are open to doing a deal with Sam Darnold,” started Fowler.

“People I’ve talked to around the league believe that the franchise tag is not the likeliest path in Minnesota ... that’s a high number of around $40 million. So Minnesota’s stance seems to be that they’re not gonna mortgage the future for Sam Darnold if he’s getting major bank with another team somewhere else, they probably won’t mortgage their future in that regard, but they’re certainly open to having him back. They loved having him.”

Should Minnesota eventually move on from Darnold, they do have options on the roster behind him. The Vikings signed Daniel Jones to the practice squad midway through the 2024 campaign, and promoted him to the active roster for the playoffs. Then there is McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury.

According to Fowler McCarthy is the future, but Jones does give the team an option for the present.

“What was made clear to me, though, is JJ McCarthy is the franchise quarterback at some point, whether that’s six months or now, 12 months, 18 months, they have not made that firm determination yet, but he will be the guy, so whoever steps in this year is essentially a bridge quarterback,” continued Fowler.

“Daniel Jones could make some sense. I’m told that he’s still on the table as an option. He was in the building last year. He would be a cheaper alternative to Sam Darnold.”

What the Vikings decide regarding Darnold remains to be seen, but we’ll keep you updated as all the chatter emerges from Indianapolis over the next week.