Vikings linked with Jets busts amid Kirk Cousins, Joe Flacco rumors

NFL and New York Jets insider Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic believes the Minnesota Vikings could target a pair of Jets busts to replace quarterback Kirk Cousins assuming Cousins signs with the Atlanta Falcons as soon as next week. 

In an article published on Thursday, Rosenblatt predicted that the Vikings will sign current San Francisco 49ers backup Sam Darnold in free agency and trade for soon-to-be Jets castoff Zach Wilson. 

Rosenblatt acknowledged Baker Mayfield would be Minnesota's "top target," but most expect that Mayfield will soon re-sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

"Wide receiver Mike Evans just re-signed for significant money, so clearly the Buccaneers have no plans to rebuild. I think they pay up before Mayfield can hit free agency," Rosenblatt noted. 

"Darnold has never been in particularly winning situations as a starter but no one has ever questioned his arm talent," Rosenblatt explained. "After a year in (San Francisco head coach) Kyle Shanahan’s system, he might be ready for another shot at starting."

Darnold entered the NFL when the Jets made him the third overall pick of the 2018 draft, but New York traded him to the Carolina Panthers in April 2021 before Gang Green selected Wilson with the second overall choice of that year's draft. 

After Darnold failed to cement himself as a long-term starter in Carolina across two seasons, he signed with San Francisco last March to serve as a backup behind 2022 rookie sensation Brock Purdy. 

It was routinely suggested as far back as last spring that Shanahan preferred Darnold over 2021 first-round draft pick Trey Lance, and the 49ers traded Lance to the Dallas Cowboys in late August. While Darnold appeared in 10 regular-season games with San Francisco, he attempted just 46 passes over those contests. 

As for Wilson, he is such an outcast with the Jets that it's thought New York may have to give a draft pick away just to get another team to take him this offseason. 

"...In the right environment, with the right coaching, he still has the talent to, at worst, be a high-end backup," Rosenblatt said about Wilson. "Minnesota is a good fit." 

The Vikings may be interested in signing veteran quarterback Joe Flacco of the Cleveland Browns as a bridge option after Minnesota reportedly inquired about acquiring the 39-year-old this past December. 

However, Flacco could join the New England Patriots to reunite with offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. 

Flacco earned Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year honors for what he accomplished while playing under Van Pelt when both were employed by the Browns during the 2023 campaign.