4 quarterbacks the Vikings need to start scouting now for 2024

The Minnesota Vikings hardly escaped with a win in a brutal 3-0 outing against the Las Vegas Raiders. It was tough to watch.

Minnesota benched starting quarterback Joshua Dobbs during the game in favor of Nick Mullens, too, after Dobbs was just 10-for-23 with 63 passing yards and he had taken five sacks. Mullens didn't do anything extravagant, but played well enough to get a victory.

If there is one thing Vikings fans can agree on over the last couple of weeks, it's that this team has a quarterback problem. And, it might not be as simple as re-signing Kirk Cousins in the offseason. Cousins will still cost quite a bit and the Vikings have other decisions to make, financially speaking, as well.

For that reason, the Vikings should start doing their homework on four quarterbacks in particular, one being a veteran and three being prospects in next year's draft.

1. Baker Mayfield (2024 free agent)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a similar boat as Minnesota at 6-7 and still in playoff contention, but Baker Mayfield is not a major reason why they have lost games. In fact, he has played pretty well this year, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards to date, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

If anything, the offensive play-calling has been questionable and Mayfield has played well in spite of that. He's proven he is still a worthy starter in this league and, if given weapons like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, Mayfield could be more than competent for the Vikings.

Over the next few weeks, Mayfield's audition for a job in 2024 becomes even more real as he tries to lead the Bucs to the playoffs.

Other free agent options include: Ryan Tannehill, Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, and Sam Darnold.