There were two reasons the move didn’t make sense for the Vikings. Plus, Aaron Rodgers’s price tag, mid-first round draft targets and more.

It’s now being reported that the Vikings won’t use the franchise tag on Darnold to keep him one more year, which was expected to be the most-likely path to them retaining the quarterback. However, that also doesn’t mean the team is ready to let him go — with negotiations ongoing about whether there’s a way to retain the QB moving forward.

The quarterback still could re-sign with the Vikings, but he remains eligible for unrestricted free agency next week.