Heading into the NFL's offseason, it's generally good practice for teams to try and keep their best players from hitting the open market. Sometimes that's easier said than done. Whether that's because of players retiring,

Quarterback Sam Darnold is projected to leave the Minnesota Vikings for a monster offer from the Las Vegas Raiders for over $100 million.

Would Minnesota get the most value by franchise-tagging its quarterback? Who actually makes the final decisions on draft night?

There are plenty of really good reasons why the Vikings should do the opposite of what the insider thinks will happen.

Sam Darnold piled up stats this season, charmed the fanbase and probably earned himself a nice payday in the process. But will he get it from the Vikings?

Darnold has come to the end of his one-year deal, but ESPN's Benjamin Solak predicts the Vikings will make a big financial commitment to the veteran quarterback and explore trades for McCarthy to one of the NFL's quarterback-hungry teams.

Sam Darnold's future as the Minnesota Vikings quarterback is a major question mark heading into the offseason. Has the former USC Trojan earned the right to be the starter next season, or will the Pro Bowler be on the move?

A couple of other quarterbacks fit that pattern, and the Twins, Lynx, Gophers and North Stars all have made boom-and-bust hires.

Sam Darnold’s shaky finish shouldn’t ruin his impressive season or impact his future. Several NFL teams need a franchise quarterback and Darnold proved he can be that guy in Minnesota, becoming the first quarterback to record 14 wins in his first season with a team.

Sam Darnold’s 2024 season ended with two ugly performances, but he will still be a highly-coveted asset when free agency begins in March. He not only played the best football of his career for most of the season,