Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talks with QB Sam Darnold.

All hope is not lost for a reunion between the Minnesota Vikings and Sam Darnold.

Benjamin Solak of ESPN outlined on Tuesday, January 28, how Darnold’s path could lead back to Minneapolis via a long-term contract.

“If Darnold’s market indeed comes in near $40 million per year, the Vikings will likely get priced out as they address other positions. But if Darnold wants to stay in the O’Connell offense and Minnesota can get him at a lower figure, don’t be surprised to see it happen,” Solak wrote. “Plus, Darnold’s contract would become a valuable trade asset if [J.J.] McCarthy is great — and a valuable escape hatch if McCarthy is shaky. This approach is far more preferable than the franchise tag, which would hit the Vikings for $41 million against the 2025 cap and be far more difficult to trade.”

Sam Darnold Holds Most of the Cards Heading Into Free Agency

GettyQuarterback Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings.

The underlying context to the situation is that Darnold has significant leverage heading into the offseason for a handful of reasons.

First, the NFL draft is weak under center with just two quarterbacks possessing first-round grades: Shedeur Sanders of Colorado and Cam Ward of Miami.

Second, Darnold is the top free agent in another weak class full of older veterans coming off shaky seasons: Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Andy Dalton of the Carolina Panthers, for example. That won’t materially change if the Atlanta Falcons and New York Jets cut Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers, respectively.

Finally, there are several teams in the market for a new quarterback this offseason and the supply can’t come close to matching the demand. Solak on Tuesday noted the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants as suitors for Darnold, and that field could easily increase based on how the draft plays out and what the Jets decide to do under center.