What Vikings passing on franchise tag means for top free agents like Sam Darnold, Byron Murphy Jr. | Sporting News

The NFLs franchise tag deadline came and went on Tuesday, and only two players Chiefs guard Trey Smith and Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins received one, the fewest number of players tagged since 1994.

That means Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback Sam Darnold will officially become a free agent and can start negotiating deals with contending teams as soon as Monday.

Another potential Vikings tag candidate was starting cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.

, who could be a flight risk on the open market if he commands top boundary corner money.

Had the Vikings placed the franchise tag on Murphy, they could have extended their negotiating window for a new multi-year deal or trade, or at worst eaten a rough but reasonable $20.1 million guaranteed salary for 2025.

Zooming out to a 30,000-foot view, Darnold was always the most likely tag candidate.

Here were the pros and cons of using the franchise tag on Darnold, and what it means for him, Murphy and other key pending free agents like running back Aaron Jones and safety Cam Bynum: Pros and Cons of Tagging Sam Darnold Pro: Potential trade compensation Placing the $40.2 million franchise tag on Darnold didnt mean the Vikings would have to pay that full amount.

The tag always came with the potential option of trading Darnold to a quarterback-needy team in an attempt to recoup some draft capital for the 2024 Pro Bowler.

MORE: Sam Darnold landing spots: Giants, Steelers among top options for QB Pro: Market control Using the franchise tag on Darnold would have kept him off the market.

In theory, that would have given Minnesota a better chance to bring him back at their price.

A multi-year deal at three years, $100 million, similar to what Baker Mayfield signed with the Buccaneers in 2024, would have made a lot of sense...

for the Vikings.

Allowing Darnold to test free agency should raise his price tag closer to his projected $41.25 million per year number .

Con: Bad business Candidly speaking, the players well, at least those not named Kirk Cousins hate the franchise tag.

Thats probably why only two were used this season.

The tag is also getting increasingly expensive each year.

Even with Minnesotas healthy projected salary cap space of $60.5 million , potentially having to absorb a fully-guaranteed $40.2 million salary and cap hit for 2025 was never good for business.

The Vikings have a number of free agents to sign, and because of that, this never felt like a realistic option.

Pro: QB stability J.J.

McCarthy will be Minnesotas QB of the future no matter what happens with Darnold this offseason.

But hes 22 years old and coming off multiple surgical procedures on his knee.

While McCarthy could be medically cleared for offseason workouts, he missed a years worth of valuable reps behind Darnold and will have to make up ground in short order, including getting his body ready for the grind of a full NFL season.

The Vikings know they can win games with Darnold, so bringing him back on a new deal should remain in play.

Con: Darnolds track record If youre tagging Darnold, youre almost certainly doing so with an eye on signing him to an extension.

While that path would make some sense, given McCarthys lack of reps at the pro level, its fair to question Darnolds short track record of success.

He enjoyed a breakout season in 2024 and deserved all the flowers he received.

With that said, he struggled big-time in the games that mattered most, and it would take a lot of blind faith for Minnesota to fully commit financially to a player whos yet to win a playoff game in seven years as a pro.

What Vikings passing on franchise tag means for pending free agents While ESPNs Adam Schefter expects the Vikings to continue to seek a new short-term deal with Darnolds camp, hes now most likely to move on with the chance to test free agency.

It would take an extremely poor market for him to come back to Minnesota for another prove it deal, but anythings possible.

Murphy Jr.

also now feels more likely to move on, as its hard to see the Vikings paying him near $20 million per year for his role in their defense.

He was an outstanding playmaker in 2024 with six interceptions, but hes not a true No.

1 boundary corner.

He played 30% of his snaps in the slot last season .

Its possible he meets Minnesota at a more realistic number, but at PFFs $17.3 million per year projection , he might now be too rich for the Vikings blood.

With all of that said, the Vikings should be able to parlay their strong salary cap situation to bring back guys like Bynum, Aaron Jones, QB Daniel Jones, guard Dalton Risner and CB Shaq Griffin.

Even if Minnesota ends up signing Darnold or Murphy Jr.

to a big multi-year deal, the team will be able to structure the contract in a way to remain competitive for free agents both inside and outside of the organization.

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