Vikings and Baker Mayfield officially won't be joining forces for 2024

Despite some rumored interest from the Minnesota Vikings, Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reportedly agreed to a new contract.

We're less than 24 hours away from the first day of legal tampering in the 2024 NFL offseason and we still don't know if Kirk Cousins is going to re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings or not.

If Cousins ends up with a new team this year, then the Vikings will need to find a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2018.

Well, one of the possible options that was suggested for Minnesota if Cousins doesn't re-sign, Baker Mayfield, has reportedly agreed to a new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Baker Mayfield no longer an option for Minnesota Vikings after re-signing with Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If the Vikings were hoping to sign Mayfield this offseason if Cousins left for another team, that is no longer a possibility.

On Sunday, multiple reports revealed that the former No. 1 draft pick and the Bucs have agreed to a new three-year contract worth up to $100 million. Mayfield's new deal also includes $50 million in guarantees, so after only making $4 million in 2023, he's getting quite the raise from Tampa Bay.

So, what does this mean for Cousins and his future in the NFL?

For starters, it narrows the number of options for a team like the Atlanta Falcons that is looking to add a veteran quarterback this offseason. Teams can no longer use Mayfield as a potential backup plan if they are unable to sign Cousins.

In terms of money, Cousins is probably going to want a new contract that includes more than the $50 million guaranteed that Mayfield is reportedly getting from his new deal.

Is that an amount that Minnesota or another team would be okay with giving to a 35-year-old quarterback coming off of a season that was cut short by a torn Achilles?

Whether it is or it is not, that's something we're likely going to find out about in the very near future, as The Athletic reported Cousins is expected to let the Vikings know by the end of Sunday night if he's going to explore free agency this week.