Well, it’s officially here. The Minnesota Vikings, along with every other team in the NFL, can now place franchise and transition tags on eligible pending free agents that they do not want to lose control of.
For the Vikings, tag conversations in 2025 solely revolve around last year’s starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, who had the best season of his entire 7-year career in 2024, in purple, completing passes at a 66% clip, good for over 4,300 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Nonetheless, NFL insiders do not expect the Minnesota Vikings to use their tag on Darnold, something I believe would be an unforgivable front office mistake, given what quarterbacks in similar situations have gone for in offseasons past, which in many cases was multiple first round draft picks.
Questions arise surrounding the weight of Minnesota Vikings QB JJ McCarthy
But more on that momentarily. Because on Friday afternoon, while on with Colin Cowherd on “The Herd”, trusted insider Albert Breer (SI) reported that, while the Vikings are very comfortable with where 2024 No, 10 overall pick JJ McCarthy is in his injury rehab, but then goes on to mention some concerns he’s hearing about, regarding the amount of weight McCarthy still has to put back on this offseason.
“The Vikings are very comfortable with JJ McCarthy right now. There is a little question about him putting some weight back on, so that’s something we’re going to have to watch over the next few weeks, but they really like what they’ve seen from JJ McCarthy. He pushed Darnold in August, he made [the Vikings QB1 choice] at least a conversation in August.”
NFL insider Albert Breer on The Herd w/Colin Howherd (2/21/2025)
Previously, concern over McCarthy’s weight had been mostly left to internet conspiracy theorists who saw him on the sidelines late in the 2024 season, looking like a thin-pretzel shadow of his former self. But Breer wouldn’t bring up concern over JJ’s weight, strictly based on internet speculation.
Clearly, that isn’t the only place where concern is present. And if those within NFL insider circles are questioning JJ McCarthy’s body and its readiness to be smacked around by 300 lb defensive linemen, then there is probably concern floating directly out of TCO Performance Center.
Breer expects Vikings to let Sam Darnold hit free agency
Breer goes on to report pretty much the same thing we have heard from others “in the know”. He expects the Minnesota Vikings to let Sam Darnold test the market once free agency hits. From there, they hope he gives them a chance to match… which we all know is very unlikely.
“I think what the Vikings do here is they probably say to Sam, ‘Go see what’s out there for you. We’d love to have you back, so please give us a chance to match or have a discussion after you get some offers’.
But if they have to go forward with JJ, I think they’re comfortable with that, again provided that he can get his weight and strength back coming back off the knee injury. And you know, I think going forward now like Sam Darnold is going to have some opportunity out there [on the open market].”
NFL insider Albert Breer on The Herd w/Colin Howherd (2/21/2025)