The 2025 franchise tag numbers are set based on the average of the top three earners at the position being tagged. For Darnold and the Vikings, that number would come to a whopping $41.3 million, a raise up from his $10 million salary in 2024.

Last year, nine players were tagged, including two who then were traded. The Carolina Panthers sent pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants just a week after tagging him, and the Kansas City Chiefs sent cornerback L'Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans before March was out.

The Minnesota Vikings are in a tricky situation with quarterback Sam Darnold, and they may not want to use the franchise tag to retain him for 2025.