However, despite the fact that the Vikings seem to have passed on Darnold, NFL analyst Thor Nystrom says that they are in fact still considering a deal for the California native. It is expected to be another one-year deal worth about half of the league’s $40.2 million franchise tag number.

Head coach Kevin O'Connell addressed Darnold's future in light of not franchise-tagging him, which would not have benefited Minnesota if they kept him on the one-year, $40 million tag.