8 remaining free agents the Vikings can sign for the 2022 season

Marcus Mariota – QB

2021 Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Unfortunately, there was some talk earlier this week that Sean Mannion could return this year to be the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback. Let’s hope that doesn’t end up being the case and Minnesota can find a backup for Kirk Cousins that actually has more than one touchdown pass in his career.

Marcus Mariota is a free-agent signal-caller to keep an eye on since he has a history with new Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Before O’Connell got into coaching, he helped quarterback prospects get ready for the draft and Mariota was among those that he helped.

Say what you will about Mariota, it’s incredibly easy to argue that Minnesota would have a better chance to win with him under center instead of Mannion if Cousins were to suffer an injury next season.

Gerald Everett – TE

2021 Team: Seattle Seahawks

Gerald Everett is another current free agent that has a connection to O’Connell as the two worked together when the tight end suited up for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Irv Smith Jr. is expected to be back from his season-ending knee injury for the 2022 campaign, but the Vikings should still consider bringing in another tight end to help take some of the pressure off of Smith.

Everett is someone who is already familiar with the offensive scheme Minnesota is going to run in 2022, and last season with the Seahawks, he caught 48 passes for 478 yards and four touchdowns.