If the Vikings don’t re-sign Kirk Cousins this spring, they’ll probably be in the market for a bridge quarterback. That’s a veteran who most likely isn’t any sort of long-term answer at the game’s most important position, but who can keep the team competitive and get the ball to guys like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson effectively.
That’s true whether or not the Vikings end up drafting a QB in the first round. If they do, the vet and the rookie can compete for the starting job, giving the coaching staff the option to let the rookie sit for a bit before taking the reins. If the Vikings don’t end up drafting a QB early this year, the bridge guy can be a placeholder until the 2025 draft.
The bar to clear for a bridge QB is Nick Mullens, who is under contract for one more year. Mullens threw for a bunch of yards in his three late-season starts this year, but he also threw eight interceptions in those games. In a Cousins-less world, the Vikings will need someone else who can take care of the football.
Here are X bridge quarterback options for Minnesota in 2024.
Baker Mayfield
After spending 2022 with the Panthers and Rams, Mayfield had a resurgent 2023 season in Tampa, leading the Buccaneers to the divisional round. He threw for over 4,000 yards with 28 touchdowns and ten picks, earning a spot as a finalist for the comeback player of the year award. Now that Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales has been hired as Carolina’s head coach, Mayfield seems likely to head elsewhere in free agency. He might be rather interested in playing under Kevin O’Connell and throwing to the Vikings’ weapons.
How did I never think of Baker to Minnesota before https://t.co/IXASkTN7L4
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) January 25, 2024
Russell Wilson
Wilson isn’t a free agent, but he might be headed for a breakup with Sean Payton and the Broncos, who could choose to release him and eat a bunch of dead money over the next couple years instead of trying to make things work. Depending on how much he’d be seeking on his next contract, Wilson might then be an interesting bridge option for teams who need one. It seems unlikely that he lands in Minnesota for a few different reasons, but who knows?
Jacoby Brissett
Brissett is the perfect kind of player for this exercise. He’s better than the typical backup quarterback, having made 48 starts in his career, but he’s also not quite a slam-dunk starter option. He was effective on a small sample this year while stepping in for Sam Howell, completing 18 of 23 passes for 224 yards, three touchdowns, and no picks. Perhaps the 31-year-old will get a bigger opportunity in 2024.
Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill, who turns 36 this summer, seemed to hit a bit of a wall this past season. The longtime starter for the Dolphins and Titans (156 career starts) only got the nod eight times in 2023, and he threw for just four touchdowns with seven picks. Nonetheless, he’s got a ton of experience and could be rejuvenated by playing with Jefferson, Hockenson, and Addison in Minnesota. It would just depend on the price tag.
Sam Howell
It’s worth keeping an eye on another Commanders quarterback, too. Washington will almost certainly take either Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick, which could make Howell expendable via trade. Maybe the Vikings would rather flip a draft pick for a young QB on a rookie contract than sign a veteran in free agency. Howell had a disappointing season as the Commanders’ starter, throwing as many touchdowns as interceptions (and leading the league in sacks taken), but he still has a bit of upside.
The Vikings could also look into Justin Fields or Mac Jones, whose teams are similarly expected to take a QB with a top-three pick.
Other free agents
- Gardner Minshew
- Jameis Winston
- Tyrod Taylor
- Mason Rudolph
- Sam Darnold
