Expert Says the Vikings Are a “Top Scheme Fit” for a $4 Million Playoff Player

The Minnesota Vikings would be doing themselves a disservice if they didn’t have a contingency plan just in case Kirk Cousins leaves in free agency.

There is mutual interest in his return. But the four-time Pro Bowler is also expected to command a hefty sum while the Vikings face a salary-cap crunch barring any moves to create more space.

Their current backup plan leaves a lot to be desired too.

“The Vikings spent a fifth-round pick on Jaren Hall last season as a potential successor to Kirk Cousins, but that ship might have already sailed,” Bleacher Report’s Ryan Fowler wrote on January 18. “They’ll need an upgrade if Cousins does walk in free agency.”

Fowler lists the Vikings as a potential “top scheme fit” for Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield, 28, was the No. 1 overall pick in 2018. He has found a rhythm in Tampa, leading his team against the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.

He is on a one-year, $4 million contract. But there is mutual interest in an extension.

“Sources say there is mutual interest for Mayfield and the Bucs to run it back in 2024,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote on December 24. “There are potential issues to work through, however, with Mayfield set to enter free agency having renewed leverage.”

Mayfield set career highs, completing 64.3% of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns this past season. Rapoport called Tampa a potential “stable home” for Mayfield.

But Fowler believes the Vikings could be a threat to poach him.

“Who wouldn’t want to throw to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison? T.J. Hockenson, too,” Fowler wrote. “Mayfield would likely love to make his way north to lead the Vikings for a roster that is entering put-up-or-shut-up time under head coach Kevin O’Connell.”

Losing Justin Jefferson Could Make Vikings a Poor Fit for QBs

Jefferson still has one more year on his rookie contract. But talks for an extension began last offseason when he first became eligible.

The three-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro has spoken confidently about getting a new contract. But Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters argued in favor of the Vikings trading Jefferson.

Part of his argument was the uncertainty at quarterback leaving the Vikings facing a step back.

“There could be a better chance of Jefferson, 24, getting traded than anybody’s saying,” Walters wrote on January 13. “That’s because it doesn’t make sense to pay the NFL’s best receiver the money he wants (expected to be at least $150 million over five years) on a team that’s not expected to be seriously competitive for several more years.”

The Vikings’ ceiling with Cousins has also come into question. Would Mayfield raise it?