The Raiders should soon have more clarity on what it would take to acquire veteran quarterback Sam Darnold.

The Vikings, Darnold’s current team, have to decide by 1 p.m. Tuesday whether to place the franchise tag on him. Otherwise the 27-year-old pending unrestricted free agent will be able to negotiate with other teams March 10.

ESPN and NFL Network reported Monday night Darnold is not expected to be tagged.

New Raiders general manager John Spytek did not discuss Darnold or any other veteran quarterback publicly at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis last week. But he made it clear his team will be aggressive this offseason to improve its roster.

“If there’s an opportunity for any player that we think can add value to the Raiders, we’ll look into it.” Spytek said.

He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns last season, both career highs, while leading the team to a 14-3 record. But the rest of his résumé is uninspiring.

Darnold would cost $40.24 million against the salary cap next season if the Vikings elect to put the franchise tag on him. That’s a hefty raise after he signed a one-year, $10 million contract in Minnesota last offseason, though the two sides would have the opportunity to then work out a long-term deal.

Of course, keeping Darnold around would also complicate the Vikings’ plans for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury but is expected to be ready to play in 2025. His presence could lead Minnesota to let Darnold walk in free agency.

Another option for the Vikings is tagging Darnold and then attempting to trade him. That would allow them to get a draft pick back, but they would have to be confident another team would be willing to make a deal.

Darnold’s potential suitors include the Raiders, Giants, Steelers and Browns.

He would fit in Las Vegas. The Raiders showed a willingness to swing big at the position in their pursuit of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. Darnold would be an upgrade over the team’s in-house options in Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell and could still have some upside.

He also comes with concerns.

Darnold’s breakout season with the Vikings came to a screeching halt at the end. He completed 18 of 41 passes in a Week 18 loss to the Lions that cost Minnesota the top seed in the NFC. Darnold was then sacked nine times and threw an interception the following week in the Vikings’ season-ending playoff loss to the Rams.