Sam Darnold's Future Uncertain as Vikings Signal Shift to J.J. McCarthy

The Vikings appear unlikely to meet Darnold's free agency price tag, positioning rookie J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback of the future.

Sam Darnold, coming off a career-best season with 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, is set to enter free agency after a one-year stint with the Vikings.
The Vikings have expressed appreciation for Darnold's performance but are reportedly unwilling to offer a long-term, high-value contract, with projections suggesting he could command $40 million annually.
Rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed much of his first season due to injury, is expected to take the reins as the Vikings' long-term starter, with the team prioritizing his development.
Free agency speculation links Darnold to teams like the Raiders, Steelers, and others, with Las Vegas emerging as a strong contender due to their cap space and new coaching staff alignment.
The Vikings have retained the option to use the franchise tag on Darnold but are considered more likely to let him test the market or explore a tag-and-trade scenario.