The Minnesota Vikings are moving away from placing the franchise tag on quarterback Sam Darnold as they seek to finalize a deal before the upcoming free agency period. Although both sides reportedly have interest in continuing their partnership, Darnold is poised to enter free agency next week, making him the most sought-after quarterback this offseason. With a standout season behind him, including a Pro Bowl selection and impressive stats of 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, Darnold's market value is likely to be high as teams look for quarterback solutions amidst a lean draft class.

The Vikings also have a promising prospect in J.J. McCarthy, their recent first-round pick, who is expected to be a future starter. If the Vikings intend to use McCarthy as their long-term solution, it may not be prudent to invest heavily in Darnold. The team will need to weigh their options carefully as they navigate free agency with multiple teams also searching for quarterback talent.