After leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record, breaking NFL and franchise records, and earning his first-career Pro Bowl appearance, former USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold is a free agent.

His preseason torn meniscus scuttled those plans and Darnold went on to have a great and surprising year. There are no guarantees that Darnold would be able to repeat his success in 2025, and if the Vikings were to bring him back, his $10 million salary would likely rise to the $35-40 million level.

"My guess right now is the Minnesota Vikings don’t franchise-tag Sam Darnold and instead let the quarterback go to the market, asking that he give them a shot to match any offer he gets," Breer wrote. "To that end, Minnesota actually could transition-tag Darnold, which would come with a less-expensive tender and the chance to match."