If the Minnesota Vikings didn’t have a backup plan in place in the event that Kirk Cousins goes in free agency, they would be betraying themselves.
Both parties are interested in his coming back. But if the Vikings don’t make any changes to clear cap space, the four-time Pro Bowler is also likely to cost a high price.
Additionally, their present backup plan is far from ideal.
Ryan Fowler of Bleacher Report stated on January 18 that “the Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on Jennifer Hall last season as a potential successor to Kirk Cousins, but that ship might have already sailed.” “Should Cousins exercise his free agency, they’ll need to upgrade.”
Fowler ranks quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as having a “top scheme fit” with the Vikings.
In 2018, Mayfield, 28, was selected first overall. Leading his club against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, he has established a rhythm in Tampa.
His $4 million contract is for a year. However, there is a shared interest in extending.
On December 24, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said, “Sources say there is mutual interest for Mayfield and the Bucs to run it back in 2024.” “Mayfield is expected to hit free agency, so there may be some issues to resolve given his renewed leverage.”
This previous season, Mayfield achieved career highs by completing 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns. Tampa was described by Rapoport as a possible “stable home” for Mayfield.
However, Fowler thinks there’s a chance the Vikings will try to steal him.
“Who wouldn’t want to hurl themselves at Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson?T.J. Hockenson as well,” wrote Fowler. “Under head coach Kevin O’Connell, Mayfield would probably love to move up north and lead the Vikings for a roster that is about to enter a put-up-or-shut-up period.”
Losing Justin Jefferson Could Make Vikings a Poor Fit for QBs
Jefferson’s rookie deal is still in effect for another year. However, when he initially became eligible last offseason, negotiations for an extension started.
The one-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler has talked confidently about signing a new deal. However, Charley Walters, a journalist for the Pioneer Press, supported the Vikings trading Jefferson.
He made the case in part that the Vikings were taking a step back because of the quarterback situation’s uncertainty.
Walters reported on January 13 that “there could be a better chance of Jefferson, 24, getting traded than anybody’s saying.” “This is due to the fact that paying the top wide receiver in the NFL the amount he demands—an estimated $150 million over five years—on a team that isn’t anticipated to be very competitive for a number of years makes no sense.”
Questioning has also been raised over the Vikings’ ceiling with Cousins. Would Mayfield bring it up?
It might be challenging to outbid the Buccaneers for his services. Before either makes any changes this summer, Tampa will have around $19 million more in cap space, according to Spotrac.
Jefferson’s satisfaction may depend on the quarterback positional level of play being maintained. Similar to this, the dynamic wideout would probably rank first or close to the top of any seasoned quarterback’s list of reasons to want to play for the Vikings.
Vikings Backup QBs Struggled in 2023
During the regular season, Cousins led the NFL in passing yards per game. He went down having won four of his final five starts. However, the season ended with Hall, Josh Dobbs, and Nick Mullens—the backup quarterbacks—completing 65.2% of their throws for 2,369 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while finishing 3-6.
The only players with contracts for next season are Hall and Mullens. However, Cousins is owed $28.5 million by the Vikings, which might encourage them to resign him. The Buccaneers must also let go of Mayfield in order to implement Fowler’s scenario.
Cousins was another player Fowler suggested would fit in Tampa.
The most likely option for the Vikings still appears to be Cousins returning next season, with a fresh quarterback who is still developing sliding in behind him.
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