The NFL offseason is set to enter one of its notable thresholds on Tuesday, as the window will open for teams to deploy the franchise tag. Beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Feb. 18, teams may designate the franchise tag onto players,

The Minnesota Vikings have been advised to let QB Sam Darnold leave in free agency and spend the money on Chiefs guard Trey Smith instead.

After a breakout 2024 season, Darnold could be looking to find a team where he could get a chance to spend the entire campaign as QB1. If Darnold leaves for that opportunity with

Cincinnati Bengals receiver Tee Higgins is the best player available in free agency. But he isn't the top-ranked player on my annual NFL free-agent Top 100 list. That's because of position value, which is why Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold tops my list.

But they still may bring Sam Darnold back for at least another season in 2025. Darnold is set to be a free agent after completing the one-year deal he signed with Minnesota last March. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said during his Tuesday press conference at the scouting combine that the club is still discussing how to proceed with Darnold — with the franchise tag one possibility.

The 2025 free-agent class is thin at the top, but there are still some quality players, including three Eagles in the top seven.

There is still some debate on whether or not the Minnesota Vikings should bring Sam Darnold back in 2025. Although the team drafted J.J. McCarthy last year, some fans and analysts aren’t in favor of moving on from a guy who made the Pro Bowl to a player who missed his rookie season with an injury.

Sam Darnold is set to hit free agency in March after leading the Minnesota Vikings to a surprising 14–3 record and a playoff berth in 2024. The Vikings could either let him walk or bring him back on a new contract or the franchise tag, which would be a one-year deal worth an estimated $42.4 million.

While evaluating the top talents at the 2025 NFL Combine, Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah gave his honest take on JJ McCarthy's current status.

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell speaks glowingly of 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy and refused to hide the pride he feels recalling Sam Darnold's first year in Minnesota's offensive system.

With the NFL Scouting Combine upon us, we're unveiling our latest first-round projections in our 2025 mock draft.