Report: Vikings linked as a 'wild card' for Lamar Jackson
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation continues to be fluid this offseason and according to an ESPN report, it could involve them as a "wild card" for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler discussed Jackson's quest for a new contract during an appearance on SportsCenter on Sunday morning and while he linked the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts as possible destinations, he also said that NFL executives believe the Vikings could be a dark horse to land the former MVP's services.
"When you talk about good fits, I asked some executives around the league what teams would make sense," Fowler said. "...Even a wild card like Minnesota. Kirk Cousins has one year left on his contract if they want to reestablish their identity there."
After playing out the final year of his rookie deal, the Ravens used the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson this offseason. The tag allows Jackson to negotiate with other teams on a new contract, but allows the Ravens to match any offer. If the Ravens decline, the signing team must give up their next two first-round draft picks in exchange for Jackson.
It's hard to tell whether that would fit the Vikings, who are expected to go into the 2023 season with Kirk Cousins under center but are doing so in the final year of his contract.
The Vikings have been unable to reach a contract extension with Cousins, who will turn 35 in August, but also have restructured his contract to create cap room for the 2023 season.
Adding Jackson is an intriguing possibility for the Vikings as he threw for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions while working with a makeshift receiving crew in Baltimore, and adds a different dynamic on the ground, where Jackson has rushed for at least 700 yards in each of his first four full seasons as a starter.
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The last part could be key as head coach Kevin O'Connell discussed creating a more efficient running game at the NFL Scouting Combine. With the signing of former Ravens tight end Josh Oliver, the Vikings could be aiming toward a mobile threat at quarterback and Jackson would definitely fit the bill.
Fowler cautions that no team has made a full offer sheet and that the draft could be a catalyst if teams are unable to get one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft including Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis.
The Vikings met with Richardson and Levis at the combine but Jackson could be a nice door prize as an established quarterback who can be acquired at a similar price as a trade-up – albeit on a vastly inflated contract.
That said, while Jackson wants a fully-guaranteed deal similar to the ones Cousins has had in the past, the Vikings have experience with that style of contract and could use that to their advantage to strike a deal.
Whatever the plan is, it's clear that the Vikings are evaluating all options when trying to decide their future at quarterback.
