Vikings Could Target Baker Mayfield To Replace Kirk Cousins

One of the early feel-good stories of the 2023 NFL campaign has been the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield has been excellent so far, but the Minnesota Vikings may be waiting in the shadows to poach him.

The Buccaneers were not expected to be contenders by anyone this season, but yet, they are 3-1 and sit in first place in the NFC South.

Much of their success is thanks to the play of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who appears to be revitalizing his career over these first few weeks.

Through the first four games, Mayfield has thrown for 882 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 69.6 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 101.5, representing his best numbers since 2020.

The 28-year-old is currently on a one-year deal with Tampa Bay, so he may very well be a hot commodity on the open market come free agency.

Could Mayfield end up replacing Kirk Cousins on the Vikings?

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report thinks it’s a possibility.

Cousins is playing out the final year of his contract with the Vikings, and given that he is seven years old than Mayfield, it would make some sense to let him walk and sign Mayfield in Cousins’ stead.

Of course, the question is whether or not Mayfield’s resurgence is legitimate.

Last season, the University of Oklahoma product split time between the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, throwing 10 touchdowns and eight picks while registering a passer rating of 79 through 12 games and 10 starts. He went 2-8 as a starter between both clubs.

Baker Mayfield also had an ugly final season with the Cleveland Browns in 2021, which ultimately led to the Browns releasing the former No. 1 overall pick.

His best year came in 2020, when he threw for 3,563 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions en route to leading Cleveland to an 11-win campaign and its first playoff appearance in nearly two decades.