The Minnesota Vikings are primed to franchise tag QB Sam Darnold and then trade him in an unprecedented NFL move.

The Minnesota Vikings have a slightly precarious situation at quarterback that needs to be settled in the coming months. Had Sam Darnold had the sort of ending to the season that his 35 touchdown, 4,319 season would have commanded,

Darnold signed with the Vikings ahead of the 2024 offseason, inking a one-year, $10 million contract with the NFC North squad. Before joining the Vikings, Darnold played three years for the New York Jets, two years for the Carolina Panthers and one year with the San Francisco 49ers .

For most of the season, Sam Darnold and the Minnesota Vikings’ offense were in control, winning 14 games in their

Would Minnesota get the most value by franchise-tagging its quarterback? Who actually makes the final decisions on draft night?

Sam Darnold piled up stats this season, charmed the fanbase and probably earned himself a nice payday in the process. But will he get it from the Vikings?

Sam Darnold's future as the Minnesota Vikings quarterback is a major question mark heading into the offseason. Has the former USC Trojan earned the right to be the starter next season, or will the Pro Bowler be on the move?

Once perceived as a journeyman quarterback, Sam Darnold has found a home in Minnesota. Or has he? Darnold’s future as a quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings could hinge on his performance in the playoffs. Monday night's NFC wild-card battle is set to be ...

Darnold stepped in and had a season to remember. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 record but the team was ultimately eliminated in the Wild Card Round. He finished fifth in the NFL for passing yards with 4,319 and fifth in total touchdowns with 35.

"I would say most likely, he's played his final game in Minnesota," Schultz said on The Herd. In the caption he posted with the video of the segment, he said he has "a hard time seeing (Darnold) back in Minnesota" and that "J.J. McCarthy is the future."

A couple of other quarterbacks fit that pattern, and the Twins, Lynx, Gophers and North Stars all have made boom-and-bust hires.

Sam Darnold’s shaky finish shouldn’t ruin his impressive season or impact his future. Several NFL teams need a franchise quarterback and Darnold proved he can be that guy in Minnesota, becoming the first quarterback to record 14 wins in his first season with a team.