Who Should I Start? Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield

Tuesday, February 18, 4:25 PM

ESPN's Kevin Seifert reports that the Minnesota Vikings are in no rush to place the franchise tag on impending free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold despite his career year in 2024. It doesn't mean they won't eventually use it on the 27-year-old signal-caller, and it doesn't rule out the team giving him a multi-year extension. Another option is that the Vikings tag Darnold and then trade him for draft-pick compensation. Keeping Darnold on the tag in 2025 would cost Minnesota around $40 million, which would be a questionable decision with former first-rounder J.J. McCarthy (knee) waiting in the wings as the franchise QB. Seifert believes the most likely scenario is that the team lets Darnold sign elsewhere while saving the tag for a player like cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who had a career-high six interceptions in 2024. Darnold set career-highs last year across the board but also had just one TD and a 53% completion percentage in the last two games.

Monday, January 13, 12:10 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 15 of 18 pass attempts for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's playoff loss to the Washington Commanders. He also took one sack and rushed for 23 yards. It was an uncharacteristically quiet showing for Mayfield, who hadn't completed fewer than 18 passes since Week 2 of the regular season. With that said, fantasy managers and bettors have to be pleased with his high completion rate and overall clean performance as he didn't turn the ball over. Mayfield finished the 2024 campaign with the NFC's most passing touchdowns, but he also led the whole league in interceptions. His high passing output keeps him in the mid-range QB1 conversation for 2025 fantasy football.