The latter scenario is appealing and certainly one of the things the team has considered. But, as a source said at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis last week, it has its own risk.
Thinking there was no tag and trade, NFC executives pointed out that they tagged Darnold and effectively gave him a non-trade clause. Because the new team wants to know if the quarterback will sign a long-term deal with them before they make the deal. The Vikings could potentially be able to get Darnold back into a more team-friendly deal, but he is likely to find a long-term suitor elsewhere as he is considered the top free agent QB in a weak year in his draft class. And if they were trying to pull off the tag-and-trade scenario, they would want to know that they had a contract before tagging Darnold.
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• Another NFC coach at Combine thought that if the team wanted to give JJ McCarthy more time before taking over the job, it was likely that Daniel Jones was actually the first week starter for the Vikings. That scenario requires the Vikings to sign a new contract for free agency, but unless he finds a clear opportunity to start with another team, he could return to Minnesota with a one-year contract similar to what Darnold did last year. It will give the Vikings more control over their schedule with McCarthy, who is only 22 years old, and will provide Jones with a more complete opportunity to rehabilitate his career before resuming his long-term contract at 28 next year. Adding Jones to the practice squad in November, the Vikings appeared to be looking to 2025. If Darnold left, they could take him against McCarthy and their veteran.
• Sources said manager Kevin O’Connell’s new contract will last until 2029. With the transaction finished, the Viking will likely turn his attention to the new coordinator contract. Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips and defensive coordinator Brian Flores have contracts that expire after 2025 and could be alongside pay bumps this spring as O’Connell aims to reward his staff. O’Connell’s contract led him to spend a year beyond the end of Justin Jefferson’s contract and past McCarthy’s fifth year option.
•Now that assistant quarterback coach Grant Udinsky is Jaguar’s new offensive coordinator, the Vikings have hired former Saints assistant Jordan Trailer to replace him, sources confirmed Monday night. Udinsky was particularly close to McCarthy. Trailer believes coaching McCarthy will support what he will get from O’Connell, Phillips and quarterback coach Josh McConnell to work closely with him this year. Mctown, who interviewed the Jets head coaching job this year, could potentially become a strong coaching candidate of the future. Traylor had the opportunity to move into a bigger role if McCown finally set out for promotions.
