ESPN Has Curvball Idea for Vikings Offseason

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Any chatter relating to the Minnesota Vikings and the 2025 franchise tag course of includes quarterback Sam Darnold, at the least so far.

ESPN Has Curvball Idea for Vikings Offseason

However due to ESPN, cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. would possibly obtain the franchise tag, not Darnold.

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ESPN’s Kevin Seifert defined Monday, “Using the tag on quarterback Sam Darnold would be an expensive way of ensuring his return while avoiding a longer-term commitment that would hinder J.J. McCarthy’s eventual ascension. It could also be a way to elicit additional value by way of a trade, but that would require a knowledge that multiple teams would be willing to bid.”

“In the end, the Vikings seem more likely to let Darnold sign elsewhere and preserve their tag for a player such as cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who had a career-high six interceptions in 2024 and is hitting his prime at age 27. If nothing else, it would give the Vikings time to sign Murphy to a longer-term deal while keeping him off the market.”

Murphy Jr. appears like a no brainer to re-sign, primarily as a result of he’s busted into stardom this season. The veteran defender has nabbed 6 interceptions throughout his second season in Minnesota, together with a implausible 76.7 passer-rating-against. His subsequent contract’s price ticket has skyrocketed accordingly.

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It’s value noting that the franchise-tag angle and Murphy Jr. is new. Something referring to Minnesota and the tag — if used in any respect — has lassoed Darnold. The veteran quarterback delivered 36 whole touchdowns and 4,319 passing yards in 2024 earlier than disappearing, metaphorically talking, the season’s ultimate two video games, which had been crucial.

An NFL staff can use the franchise tag as soon as yearly, so it can not apply to Darnold and Murphy Jr. In truth, the Vikings haven’t used the tag in about 5 years.

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In an interview with KSTP’s Darren Wolfson final summer time, Murphy Jr. defined his intent to stay a Viking for the lengthy haul. “I don’t think I’m going anywhere. That’s my mindset. I want to stay; I love this place. Since I’ve been here since day one, I have fallen in love. I want to go nowhere. I want to stay here for the rest of my career. I love these guys in the locker room and the coaching—everything about this place is great. I’m going to work my ass off to stay here,” Murphy Jr. mentioned in June.

ESPN, although, not too long ago steered that Murphy Jr. may depart the franchise whereas his security teammate, Camryn Bynum, may keep.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports activities.

Seifert is appropriate, nonetheless, that tagging Murphy Jr. may very well be in play whereas common supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah labored towards a long-term deal. It would even be extra possible than Darnold and the tag.

The franchise tag would price Minnesota about $20 million for Murphy.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the College of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his day by day YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The present options visitors, evaluation, and opinion on all issues associated to the purple staff, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates again to 1996. Listed responsible pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doorways (the band). He follows the NBA as carefully because the NFL. 

All statistics offered by Professional Soccer Reference / Stathead; all contractual data offered by OverTheCap.com.