Sam Darnold is set to hit the open market.
The Minnesota Vikings are not expected to use the franchise tag on the 27-year-old quarterback before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. deadline, according to ESPN, clearing Darnold to become one of this offseason’s most coveted free agents.
The non-exclusive tag carries a $40.2 million salary for quarterbacks in 2025.
The Vikings reportedly still hope to re-sign Darnold after he delivered a breakout season in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system.
Originally drafted No. 3 overall by the Jets in 2018, Darnold was not supposed to be the Vikings’ long-term answer at quarterback when he signed a one-year, $10 million contract with them last offseason.
But first-round rookie J.J. McCarthy suffered a meniscus tear during the preseason, paving the way for Darnold to be the Vikings’ season-long starter.
Darnold shattered his previous career bests by completing 66.2% of his passes for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while leading the Vikings to a 14-3 record.
However, Darnold struggled in the Vikings’ two biggest games: a 31-9 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 18 with the NFC North title on the line; and a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round 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 said after that playoff defeat.
The Vikings could try to retain Darnold if they do not believe McCarthy is ready to step in. McCarthy, 22, underwent two surgeries on his right knee after the injury.
But the Vikings are expected to have competition for Darnold, whom most evaluators project to command a multi-year contract that exceeds $100 million in total value.
Darnold spent his first three seasons with the Jets, going 13-25 with 45 touchdown passes against 39 interceptions. The seven-year veteran also played for the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers before joining the Vikings.
The Vikings could also opt to re-sign Daniel Jones, who joined Minnesota’s practice squad after being released by the Giants in November and was elevated to the active roster for the playoffs.
Using the non-exclusive franchise tag on a player grants a team the right to match another organization’s offer, or to receive two first-round draft picks as compensation.
Here are the players who have been tagged or extended this year.
TEE HIGGINS, CINCINNATI BENGALS
This is the second year in a row the Bengals tagged the wide receiver, meaning he would make $26.2 million in 2025 if he signs the tender.
He earned $20.6 million last year.
Higgins, 26, could instead sign a long-term deal with the Bengals, who also have fellow star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson up for extensions.
The deadline to sign a tagged player to a multi-year contract is July 15.
Higgins caught 73 passes for 911 yards and 10 touchdowns in 12 games last season. Quarterback Joe Burrow has publicly advocated for Higgins’ return.
TREY SMITH, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
The prevailing belief is that the Chiefs tagged the Pro Bowl guard with the intention of signing him to a long-term contract, though they did tag and trade away cornerback L’Jarius Sneed last offseason.
If he were to play on the tag, Smith would be guaranteed $23.4 million next season.
Originally a sixth-round pick in 2021, Smith has since emerged as one of the NFL’s best interior lineman.
Protecting quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a priority for the Chiefs, whose offensive line struggled badly in their 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in last month’s Super Bowl LIX.
OSA ODIGHIZUWA, DALLAS COWBOYS
A few hours before Tuesday’s deadline, the Cowboys reached a four-year, $80 million contract with the defensive tackle, according to NFL Media.
The deal includes $58 million in guaranteed money.
Odighizuwa started all 17 games for the Cowboys in each of the past three seasons. Last year, he set career highs with 4.5 sacks, 23 quarterback hits and 47 tackles.
Had they not reached an extension, the Cowboys were expected to tag Odighizuwa, a four-year veteran whom they drafted in the third round in 2021.
The 26-year-old is the younger brother of former Giants defensive end Owa Odighizuwa.
