5 starting quarterback options for the Vikings in 2024
Throughout their history, the quarterback has been the ultimate Rubik's Cube for the Minnesota Vikings.
Many have tried to fill the void of a franchise signal caller for the Vikings and many outside of Fran Tarkenton and Kirk Cousins have failed. Injuries, draft busts and unforeseen circumstances have contributed to the problem and Minnesota's front office will face another crossroads this offseason.
With Cousins a free agent and the quarterback carousel already spinning, here's a look at five players who could wind up being the Vikings' starting quarterback in 2024.
Kirk Cousins
As of right now, Cousins has to be considered the leader to start for the Vikings next season. Cousins will turn 36 next August and is coming off a torn Achilles but he has several things going for him when he sits down at the negotiating table this spring.
Cousins brought a level of consistency to the Vikings quarterback problem by throwing for 4,000 yards in four seasons and 30 touchdowns in three seasons since signing with Minnesota in 2018. He was also on his way to adding another year to each of those totals after throwing for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns before his injury in a win over the Green Bay Packers on Oct. 29.
Cousins also has the endorsement of Justin Jefferson, who praised Cousins after last week's loss to the Detroit Lions and again during practice this past week.
"It's definitely tough without him being there," Jefferson said. "His leadership. His knowledge of the game. His awareness. There's definitely something missing not having that main piece out there on the table."
While Jefferson's opinion will carry weight the Vikings also have to consider Cousins' price point, which has been defined by big money, fully guaranteed contracts throughout his career. With other teams looking to solve their quarterback problem, Cousins will have a market despite his injury and could wind up out of the Vikings' price range.
Russell Wilson
If Cousins leaves, the Vikings could dive right back into the quarterback market to remain "super competitive" in 2024. Should that happen, the Vikings could keep an eye on Wilson, whose time with the Denver Broncos is coming to an end.
Wilson was acquired in a blockbuster deal prior to the 2022 season but hasn't lived up to the price in two seasons in Denver. While he has thrown for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, he hasn't meshed with head coach Sean Payton.
This led to the Broncos allegedly demanding he waive his $37 million injury guarantee in his contract for 2025 which would vest to a full guarantee on the fifth day of the 2024 league year.
The Broncos have since benched Wilson, spawning plenty of speculation over where he could play next season. The Vikings are currently the favorite to land Wilson with 5-to-1 odds according to Bet Online and he could be a stopgap to Cousins if he decides to leave.
Jaren Hall
Getting benched after going 5-of-10 passing for 67 yards and two turnovers Sunday night against the Packers didn't help his case, but the Vikings did spend a fifth-round draft pick on him so it's not like his leash is already up.
Hall put together a strong collegiate career at BYU (52 TD, 11 INT, 65.2 completion percentage in five seasons) and looked functional in two appearances before the disaster on New Year's Eve.
It's clear that there is a massive learning curve for Hall to become a starting quarterback. Offensive coordinator Wes Phillips noted that starting Hall now is a "bet on traits" and Hall noted the speed of the NFL game during a press conference last week.
While Hall is a rookie, he's also 25 years old and there could be value in using him as a starter next season. Hall's rookie contract would create plenty of cap space and allow the Vikings to build a better-supporting cast to help him succeed. While the AFC is loaded with franchise quarterbacks, the NFC has been more of an arms race as teams build infrastructures to help find the next Brock Purdy.
Matthew Coller: The Vikings asked too much of Jaren Hall vs. Packers
Kyler Murray
The Vikings were connected to Lamar Jackson last spring before he ultimately signed with the Ravens. Although Jackson wearing a different shade of purple was always a long shot, the chance to acquire a franchise quarterback in his prime is rare.
This offseason could present a similar opportunity if the Arizona Cardinals shop Murray. The Cardinals can save $5.6 million by trading Murray before June 1 and with Arizona currently on track for the second overall pick in the NFL Draft, there's a chance Murray could become available.
Murray has been functional, throwing for 1,305 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions in six games after tearing his ACL in December 2022 but carries a cap hit of $51.8 million next season.
The Vikings would have to lower that cap hit to make it work and The Athletic's Dianna Russini said the Cardinals never shopped Murray at last year's trade deadline. But CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso projected Minnesota trading for Murray his latest mock draft, which at least opens the door for a potential blockbuster.
Jayden Daniels
If all else fails, the Vikings could be in a position to take a swing on a quarterback in the draft. While USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye could be out of reach, the Vikings could have their eye on LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels if they can get into the back half of the top 10.
Daniels had a strong season by throwing 17 touchdowns and three interceptions for LSU in 2022 but hit another gear, throwing for 3,812 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 72.2 percent of his passes while winning the Heisman Trophy this year.
Daniels is also an elite runner, rushing for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Tigers this season.
According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked third with an 8.4 percent big-time throw rate (defined as a pass with excellent ball location and timing, generally thrown further down the field and/or into a tighter window) and had the sixth-lowest turnover-worthy play percentage (defined as a pass that has a high percentage chance to be intercepted or a poor job of taking care of the ball and fumbling) at 1.6 percent.
At 23 years old, Daniels could be a name that flies up draft boards this spring and could be the guy the Vikings target in April.
