The Vikings' Bridge Quarterback Options are Already Dwindling a Bit

Russell Wilson is signing with the Steelers, removing another veteran from the market.

The Sunday news cycle in the NFL included a pair of veteran quarterbacks coming off the market before the official beginning of free agency. After the Buccaneers worked out an extension with Baker Mayfield, it was announced that recently-released former Broncos QB Russell Wilson is signing with the Steelers.

What that means is that the Vikings' bridge quarterback options are already dwindling a bit ahead of the highly-anticipated Kirk Cousins decision that is expected to arrive in the next couple days. If Cousins signs with the Falcons or another team, Minnesota won't have Mayfield or Wilson as replacement options.

And maybe that's just fine. After all, it seemed likely all along that Mayfield would wind up back in Tampa Bay — and Wilson probably wasn't a great fit for Kevin O'Connell's offense due to his style of play. But those were objectively two of the more experienced and intriguing potential fallback options for the Vikings, and now neither of them is available anymore. That feels notable in the context of Cousins' looming decision.

The Steelers are signing Wilson to a one-year deal worth the veteran's minimum $1.2 million, reports indicate (the Broncos will pay him $38 million in 2024 not to play for them). At that price, you can understand the upside for Mike Tomlin and Pittsburgh, who will have a competition between Wilson and Kenny Pickett for their starting job.

Even with Mayfield and Wilson off the board, there are still options for the Vikings if they lose Cousins and have to pivot. They've been working on contingency plans at quarterback in the event that they need them, and that planning goes a lot deeper than just two names. Sam Darnold is a name that has come up a lot; he's part of a free agent QB group that also includes Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, Jameis Winston, Tyrod Taylor, and Joe Flacco. Then there are potential trade options like Justin Fields, Sam Howell, Trey Lance, and Zach Wilson.

Of course, the Vikings will very much be in the mix to draft a quarterback in the first round — and maybe trade up into the top ten to do so — if Cousins is gone. But they'll also likely want to add a veteran option to a QB room that currently is made up of Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall.

That just won't be Mayfield or Wilson (or Mac Jones, who was traded to the Jaguars). So the options are dwindling a little bit, even if the cupboard isn't completely bare.

This is going to be quite the week.

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

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