Vikings offseason checklist: What should Minnesota do with Sam Darnold?

The most impactful decision facing the Minnesota Vikings this offseason is whether or not to keep Darnold. He set career-high marks in passing yards (4,319), passing touchdowns (35) and completion percentage (66.2 percent) in his first season in Minnesota, but he crumbled down the stretch in blowout losses to the Detroit Lions in Week 18 and Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round.

The Vikings have already decided not to place the franchise tag on Darnold, and they would be wise to let him walk in free agency. Although he played well for most of 2024, the veteran reverted to his old self when the lights got bright. Paying Darnold $40 million per year would be a mistake when the Vikings have J.J. McCarthy on his rookie deal for three more seasons.

2. Re-sign CB Byron Murphy Jr.

The Vikings have four cornerbacks set to hit free agency, but they can comfortably let the other three walk if they can find a way to re-sign Murphy after his first Pro Bowl season. Murphy had a career-high six interceptions, 14 passes defended and 81 combined tackles in 2024. He also finished with the second-highest Pro Football Focus grade (72.8) among Vikings defenders. 

Minnesota's secondary will take a step back if Murphy signs elsewhere. He's only 27 and his familiarity with DC Brian Flores' defense is more valuable than anything a free agent would bring to the team.

3. Cut center Garrett Bradbury, sign Ryan Kelly

The Vikings must improve their pass-blocking, especially on the interior. Bradbury hasn't lived up to his first-round draft price in that regard, as he ranked 55th of 64 qualified centers in PFF's pass-block grade last season. Cutting him would free $3.6M in cap space. 

Assuming Kelly — a pending free agent with the Colts — doesn't retire, he would be the perfect replacement for Bradbury. He's one of the best pass-blocking centers in the NFL. Pairing McCarthy with a veteran center would be a great way to ease him into the NFL. 

4. Sign safety Jevon Holland in free agency

Minnesota might lose both starting safeties this offseason. Even if Harrison Smith doesn't retire, the Vikings must get younger in the back end of their secondary, so 25-year-old Holland should be high up on their wish list in free agency.

Holland, a pending free agent for the Dolphins, is a physical presence who can play all over the field, and he's a capable blitzer who could thrive in Flores' aggressive defensive scheme. 

5. Trade down in the first round of the NFL Draft

The Vikings won't be busy during draft weekend if they stand pat. Minnesota owns only a first-round pick, a third-round pick and two fifth-rounders in the 2025 NFL Draft, so general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should trade back from No. 24 overall to add another selection or two.

Whatever the Vikings decide to do with their first-round pick, they should target an offensive lineman and a running back early on.