Inside The Vikings

Vikings Could Pursue Justin Fields, Baker Mayfield if Kirk Cousins Leaves

Fields and Mayfield might be the two best non-Cousins veteran QBs available this year.
Will Ragatz|
Vikings Could Pursue Justin Fields, Baker Mayfield if Kirk Cousins Leaves
Vikings Could Pursue Justin Fields, Baker Mayfield if Kirk Cousins Leaves

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If Kirk Cousins ends up leaving the Vikings this month — which continues to look like a real possibility — they could be in the market for one of the top two veteran consolation prizes at the quarterback position: Justin Fields and Baker Mayfield. Either could serve as a high-end bridge option, perhaps while being paired with a rookie QB.

Fields is widely expected to be traded by the Bears, who hold the No. 1 overall pick and the opportunity to draft Caleb Williams. Mayfield, who made his first Pro Bowl last year and led the Buccaneers to a playoff victory, is the second-best free agent quarterback on the market. Those two, along with Russell Wilson, will be among the most intriguing veteran options for the QB-needy teams who don't sign Cousins.

"I expect Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas and Minnesota to be on Fields' radar," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler recently reported.

The Vikings trading for Fields, who they've seen up close for the last three years, would be fascinating. He's a dynamic runner who shows flashes with his arm but still hasn't put it all together consistently, going 10-28 as a starter (albeit with tough circumstances around him). Would he fit what Kevin O'Connell and the Vikings want to do on offense?

Mayfield is four years older than Fields and more accomplished as a passer. He'll be seeking a sizable raise this offseason after a strong performance with Tampa Bay that saw him finish third in comeback player of the year voting. Mayfield would be a downgrade from Cousins, but he's the next-best option in a free agent QB crop that also includes Gardner Minshew, Ryan Tannehill, Jameis Winston, and Jacoby Brissett.

"It wouldn't be a shock if the Vikings got involved (with Mayfield) should Cousins leave," Fowler wrote in the same notebook.

Depending on Mayfield's asking price, a QB room with him and a rookie like J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr. could be a good post-Cousins solution for the Vikings.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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