Just now: Vikings Makes $40 Million ‘Upshot’ Option on Table Amid Sam Darnold Uncertainty

The Minnesota Vikings won 14 games during the regular season, and head coach Kevin O’Connell has been sure to note that fact when discussing Sam Darnold’s future with the organization.

O’Connell said Darnold has earned the right to be a free agent, but the Vikings left themselves an emergency option. The deadline to adjust the void date on Darnold’s contract has passed.

The Vikings agreed to adjustments with two other players, so Darnold’s situation stands out.

“Interestingly, they did NOT reach the same agreement with QB Sam Darnold, whose contract still voids 23 days before the start of the league year,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported on X on February 18. “If they don’t do a new deal with Darnold before the contract voids, then $5 million in remaining signing bonus proration would accelerate onto their 2025 salary cap as dead money for Sam Darnold. Upshot here: They still CAN franchise Darnold.”

The new league year is set to start on March 12, so that date was February 17. Darnold, who was on a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings, is due for a significant raise this offseason. According to Over The Cap, the franchise tag for quarterbacks in 2025 is $42.4 million.

OTC projects the Vikings will have $63.3 million to spend before making any other roster moves this offseason.

Spotrac projects Darnold’s annual value at $40.1 million.

Spotrac also suggested a four-year, $160.5 million pact as an example of what Darnold might get on his next deal. That would rank him as the 15th in annual and total value among quarterbacks in 2025.

The Vikings have until March 4 to apply the franchise tag to Darnold. That decision would limit the QB’s options and leave him without long-term security.