With NFL free agency around the corner and draft coverage in full swing, Minnesota has decisions to make. With a team that just finished 7-10 and has a handful of holes to fill on this roster, what will Kwesi and company look to do? Though there are many routes, here are five quarterbacks Minnesota could pursue in the offseason this spring.
Resign Captain Kirk Cousins
The most obvious option for Minnesota when it comes to who to pursue in the offseason is resigning Captain Kirk. And yes, there are other factors here. Can a 36-year-old coming off an Achilles injury be successful? Will Minnesota have the cap to resign and be competitive? Could another team lure the 12-year vet away in free agency. Early reports have Cousins looking for a 2-year, $45 million dollar a year contract, but will Minny get a hometown discount or not? There are so many what ifs to get hung up on but look at the positives.
Kirk, in his totality as a Viking, has desired to be a Viking. Just 1511 yards shy of passing Tommy Kramer on the Vikings all-time passing list, Cousins has given consistent play to this team since he arrived six seasons ago. In six years, he’s been an above average, dare I say, great quarterback that has commanded an offense efficiently and been a leader on and off the field. Even given his age, Cousins was on pace for MVP level numbers this year before his injury and with continuity for the offense on the horizon, who says he can’t do it again. Will Minnesota get a hometown discount? Maybe but even if they don’t, Cousins is far and away the best option on the market upcoming this March.
Acquire Veteran Russell Wilson
A name that many may not link to Minnesota, but Wilson may and probably is on the move this off-season. After a very public benching in the tail end of the season, it’s clear Wilson is probably not part of Sean Payton and the Denver Bronco’s plans. So why Minnesota? The former Super Bowl champion and Walter Payton Man of the Year provides veteran leadership and could come in and play with some swagger to end his career after two tumultuous seasons in Denver. In reality, though Russ isn’t coming off an injury, his price tag may be a bit cheaper than Kirk’s looks to be.
Now it’s true that Wilson is not the same player he was during his 20s, however even into his mid 30s, Russell is an interesting prospect to pursue in the offseason. For the most part, he’s fairly consistent with protecting the ball (not always but usually), he can extend plays, and he wouldn’t have to put games on his back. Truly, Minnesota is a team that has great weapons and a solid offensive line, giving Wilson a chance to just be consistent and solid. Making smart plays, utilizing his weapons, and creating plays when needed is an offensive game plan that can keep Minnesota competitive in 2024. Will he be perfect? No but he may be more than serviceable for the purple and gold and is fully healthy for 2024.
Shoot for Upside in Baker Mayfield
A career resurgence in Tampa Bay for the former #1 overall pick has him in the sights of a handful of teams this offseason. Baker, for all intents and purposes, can be a franchise quarterback but has gotten the short end of the stick far too often. Break it down? Year one – Terrible Cleveland team, Year two – Freddie Kitchens, Year three – Playoff berth and Wildcard win, Year four – Nagging injuries, Year five – Panthers to Rams, Year six – Tampa Bay success. When you break down Mayfield’s career trajectory, he’s had very little continuity of scheme and poor teams around him. This year however saw a team with good weapons, a solid offensive line, and a phenomenal play caller (who is on his way to Carolina to become their head coach). Sound familiar? Mayfield, when supported, succeeds.
Now, Minnesota could look to sign the 28-year-old gunslinger to a multi-year deal that may not be a budget breaker but would need to say, “this is our guy” figuratively and financially. That said, if Minnesota comes calling, this is a great landing spot for a quarterback to be successful and Kwesi already has an overlap with Baker in Cleveland. With O’Connell at the helm and the offensive playmakers on roster, the only real thing Mayfield needs to do is continue to build upon this year, in which he posted highs in yardage, completion percentage, and touchdowns. Be wary, but Mayfield may be the highest upside quarterback that Minnesota could pursue in the offseason but also potentially the riskiest.
Pursue Mentor QBs Sam Darnold or Jimmy Garoppolo (w/ a Rookie)
Maybe not the most attractive options, but a very realistic outcome from this upcoming free agency is a bridge quarterback paired with a rookie. Though there are plenty of names, Darnold and Garoppolo stand out as two guys who could have a shot in Minnesota. Though probably not long-term answers, both could be more budget friendly options. Would they be the answer? Probably not, but Darnold, 26, and Jimmy G, 32, could come in and hold down the fort as a rookie develops.
What do they do well? Both are positive in the TD:Int ratio. Whereas Darnold has a narrower margin and smaller sample size (63:56), Garoppolo is more decorated but has looked to drop off more recently (94:51). With either guy, they command the offense from the pocket, which seems to be O’Connell’s goal. However, are either of these guys better than Nick Mullens? At the end of the day, these may not really move the needle but could very well be moves Minnesota will pursue in the offseason.
