6 dark horse options to be the Vikings quarterback in 2024

Quarterback No. 1

Baker Mayfield

2023 Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Less than a year ago, suggesting Baker Mayfield as a possibility for the Vikings in 2024 would have seemed extremely outrageous, and maybe it still is.

But through the first five weeks of the 2023 season, Mayfield has played well, and he's a big reason why the Buccaneers are sitting with a 3-1 record.

Mayfield was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, and after helping lead that franchise to the playoffs for the first time since 2002, he was kicked to the curb after a subpar performance in 2021.

Mayfield then split his time between the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams in 2022, and neither of his performances for either team were anything to rave about. Many thought he might actually be nearing the end of his run as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

But then Mayfield was given another chance by Tampa earlier this year, and he made sure to take full advantage of the opportunity. He easily beat out Kyle Trask for the starter job, and adding him during the offseason has turned out to be a great decision by the Bucs so far.

In four games, Mayfield has completed a career-high 69.6 percent of his passes for 882 yards (220.5 per contest), seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. His 101.5 passer rating also currently ranks seventh in the NFL, and he's only been sacked on 3.1 percent of his dropbacks this season.

Mayfield is currently scheduled to hit free agency in 2024, and depending on how Minnesota finishes the 2023 season, he could be someone they might have an interest in pursuing.

His price tag in 2024 likely isn't going to be too high, and the Vikings could bring him in for a year or two while a rookie sits on the bench and learns. Or Minnesota could get really crazy and sign him to a multi-year deal to be a more long-term solution at the quarterback position.