What do you do in the offseason if you are the Vikings?

[Bump]

Sam Darnold has completely turned his career around in Minnesota. Yes, the Vikings have one of the best receiving corps and a good TE. But it's not like you could just plug in any QB and it will be great.

Sam Darnold signed a 1 year deal worth $10m is what google says. So he will be a free agent.

Should they use the franchise tag on him and try to trade him for a 1st? Or sign him to a contract and make him their starter since he played so well?

What to do with JJ McCarthy, if they go with Sam Darnold, since they drafted him so high? Sam Darnold wouldn't be in this position if it weren't for that injury.

It's a somewhat unusual situation and it's a Chiefs-less weekend so if you are the GM of the Vikings, what do you do?

[Semichief]

O’Connell has proven he can identify and coach up some QB’s, so whatever move they do is whatever he believes is best. If he thinks he can get Darnold to continue to play at a high level, they’ll pay him. If he thinks McCarthy can be as good or even better, they’ll let Darnold walk.

I know a QB on a rookie deal is one of the most valuable assets in the league, but moving on from a high production QB who led the team to a #1 (or near #1) seed is a huge gamble. I’d probably see what I could get for McCarthy - a lot of teams need a good young QB. If you can get a 1st rounder, take it and make a run with this bunch.

[gordonelloyd]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Darnold has been around enough bad and enough good organizations, seen the difference, and realizes that he probably isn’t interested in joining a bad organization.

And that’s why I think he will be willing to sign for around 40 million instead of pushing the market value at 60 million. Yes, most players just seem to be interested in maximizing the dollars. But we have an example in Baker who had been through the hell of bad organizations who decided not to do that. I think Darnold will be the same.

[TripleThreat]

I see their situation as a Nick Foles situation if I’m being honest… I was able to catch the Vikings game this last week, and even though he had good stats, he missed some very easy passes that made me think to myself on how he’s having such a good season throwing like that…

I personally think, if not the Vikings, he’s going to get a big pay day but it’s only going to be a 3 year contract imo (2 year would be ideal for Vikings franchise) … for the Vikings this would make sense since McCarthy is on a rookie deal and looked good pre injury…

I don’t see any team offering Donald Dak money/years…

[TripleThreat]

Originally Posted by Semichief

O’Connell has proven he can identify and coach up some QB’s, so whatever move they do is whatever he believes is best. If he thinks he can get Darnold to continue to play at a high level, they’ll pay him. If he thinks McCarthy can be as good or even better, they’ll let Darnold walk.

I know a QB on a rookie deal is one of the most valuable assets in the league, but moving on from a high production QB who led the team to a #1 (or near #1) seed is a huge gamble. I’d probably see what I could get for McCarthy - a lot of teams need a good young QB. If you can get a 1st rounder, take it and make a run with this bunch.

No one is letting McCarthy walk unless he’s like a Trey Lance of the 49ers. They spent a 1st round pick on him, and if they are shopping him, it’s because they think he’s worse than darnold… do you think any GM is giving up a 1st round for a qb that a team values less than say darnold talent wise???

The more I think about it, the more I think the Vikings sign him to a very high paid 2 year contract, less $$ if 3, and let McCarthy learn… Jordan love looked unfinished early on, he sat for what, 3 years?? Might be the same situation here.

As I stated above, I don’t see any team giving darnold a 5 year, Dak money contract. 1 year isn’t enough in this league. Matt Flynn off the packers, Matt cassel anyone? Nick foles? Blake bortles, Robert griffin??

[Chief Pagan]

One good year isn't enough to know you have a sure thing, but it is a QB starved league.

There are probably teams that would take chance throwing money at him versus throwing draft picks at the drat lottery.

[UChieffyBugger]

The Vikings are a weird organisation. Always seem to have great drafts, good coaching and make a run out of nowhere.

2017 they had a top rated defense and an offense featuring a young Diggs, Thieland and Cook. They had a bye after going 13-3 and made it to the NFC conference game WITH CASE KEENUM

In 2022 they were good once again. Jefferson, Theilan, Hokonsen and Cook were balling. They got themselves to 13-4 with Kirk Cousins under center and lost to the Giants at home in the wildcard round.

Now two years later they are back at it again with Jefferson, Addison, Jones, Hokonson and a solid defense. Only this time it's Sam Darnold pulling the trigger.

Ya'll see the pattern? Keenum, Cousins and Darnold have all had world class pieces around them and good coaching.

But last year we saw Purdy thrive the same way and look at him now? The same goes for Baker. Dude has some of the best weapons around him too. But when those weapons aren't there then who are these guys? That's the question.

[BigRedChief]

I watched a spot on the Rick Eisen show with the QB guru, Jordan Palmer. He's worked with Allen, Burrow etc. anyway...... He talked about how he unlocks skills and talent that was always there but just not being used efficiently and vice versa not do the bad mechanics.

Darnold just got into some bad mechanics that didn't utilize his natural skill set. He knew this but noone could get him to repeat the good mechanics instead of focusing on the good mechanics and to use his natural talent.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by UChieffyBugger

The Vikings are a weird organisation. Always seem to have great drafts, good coaching and make a run out of nowhere.

2017 they had a top rated defense and an offense featuring a young Diggs, Thieland and Cook. They had a bye after going 13-3 and made it to the NFC conference game WITH CASE KEENUM

In 2022 they were good once again. Jefferson, Theilan, Hokonsen and Cook were balling. They got themselves to 13-4 with Kirk Cousins under center and lost to the Giants at home in the wildcard round.

Now two years later they are back at it again with Jefferson, Addison, Jones, Hokonson and a solid defense. Only this time it's Sam Darnold pulling the trigger.

Ya'll see the pattern? Keenum, Cousins and Darnold have all had world class pieces around them and good coaching.

But last year we saw Purdy thrive the same way and look at him now? The same goes for Baker. Dude has some of the best weapons around him too. But when those weapons aren't there then who are these guys? That's the question.

Except Baker actually played pretty well for the 4 games he didn't have either Evans or Godwin. And during that stretch he also played without his starting RT for a couple games.

In spite of those personnel losses, Baker threw for over 300 yds in two games, and his PR for those games were; 97.5, 94.6, 112.3 and 82.0, 9 TDs/4 INTs. The reason Baker lost those 4 games had more to do with the fact that he was saddled with the 31st defense in the league and Bowles made some awful in-game decisions.

[Rain Man]

I probably pillage Ireland and kidnap some of their red-haired women on my way to Iceland. And I also give Samvold Daroldsson a long-term contract. Rookie QBs are not a sure thing.

[Pepe Silvia]

The Vikings have already lost in the playoffs.

[Sassy Squatch]

Was firmly in the pay him and keep going camp until last night. Fell asleep at half but God damn was he terrible from what I saw. If they get bounced against the Rams they really will have an incredibly tough choice to make.

[kccrow]

It would be very difficult to move off of a QB that has performed that well in your system. If he completely shits his pants in the playoffs, then I'd very seriously consider moving him. If they win one and at least look competitive in the Divisional or get to the NFCC, then I don't think I could let him go.

As it stands right now, the draft really lacks elite potential at QB. I'd likely consider JJ McCarthy at least the #3 QB if he were in this draft, depending on how you view Ward and Sanders. He should still have a lot of value. I'd venture that those two guys will likely go #1 and #2 to the Titans and Browns. I'd think the Giants at #3, Raiders at #6, and Jets at #7 should all be thinking about some sort of package for JJ if the Vikes hold onto Darnold. Maybe a 1st and 2nd or 3rd for JJ and the Vikings' 1st.

My vote right now would be to keep Darnold and trade JJ while you can get a high pick for him and get a difference-maker at DE or something.

The only other players the Vikings need to re-sign are Jones II at DE and Murphy at SCB. I'm not sure the tag is worthwhile on anyone other than Darnold if it's needed.

[Chief Pagan]

Originally Posted by Sassy Squatch

Was firmly in the pay him and keep going camp until last night. Fell asleep at half but God damn was he terrible from what I saw. If they get bounced against the Rams they really will have an incredibly tough choice to make.

Detroit made him scramble, especially to his left and he looked turible.

I've not watched that many Min games, but not sure why the Lions were that more effective after all the injuries they've had on D.

His WRs didn't do him any favors nor did his coach/game plan.

Vikes should give up on Darnold and sign Purdy in FA.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Chief Pagan

Detroit made him scramble, especially to his left and he looked turible.

I've not watched that many Min games, but not sure why the Lions were that more effective after all the injuries they've had on D.

His WRs didn't do him any favors nor did his coach/game plan.

Vikes should give up on Darnold and sign Purdy in FA.

Dude, you were on a roll and then that last sentence...like...wow.

[Bump]

I think tonight makes this easy, just let him walk into free agency