The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have already locked up one key free agent in wide receiver Mike Evans, and quarterback Baker Mayfield is likely the next one on their list.
It’s highly possible the Bucs strike a new deal with Mayfield before free agency officially kicks off next week, but if they don’t, the former No. 1 pick is sure to have a strong market for his services.
Multiple teams have already been reported as having strong interest in potentially signing Mayfield in free agency (Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots), and now we have a third one joining the party.
According to Pewter Report, the Minnesota Vikings are another team watch out for when it comes to luring Mayfield away from Tampa Bay:
If Kirk Cousins isn’t re-signed, the Vikings will be in the market for a new quarterback. Cousins has been the team’s starter for the past six seasons, posting a record of 50-37-1 during that span. But Minnesota has reached the playoffs just twice with Cousins at the helm, and he has a 1-2 record as the Vikings’ starter in the postseason and a 1-4 record overall in the playoffs, dating back to his time in Washington.
Minnesota will want to keep star receiver Justin Jefferson, who is entering his fifth-year option season, and tight end T.J. Hockenson happy. Without a good, veteran quarterback, the chances of Jefferson returning to Minnesota after next season diminish greatly. Mayfield turns 29 in April and is seven years younger than Cousins.
Minnesota will want to keep star receiver Justin Jefferson, who is entering his fifth-year option season, and tight end T.J. Hockenson happy. Without a good, veteran quarterback, the chances of Jefferson returning to Minnesota after next season diminish greatly. Mayfield turns 29 in April and is seven years younger than Cousins.
Going after Mayfield would indeed make plenty of sense for the Vikings if they don’t re-sign Cousins, but they’d have to fight off multiple teams to win a bidding war that could take up the majority of their remaining salary cap space.
The Vikings also had a front-row seat to Mayfield’s impressive performance in Tampa Bay’s victory in Week 1 of last season in Minnesota, so they’re well aware of what he can do when surrounded by offensive weapons and capable play-calling.
It still makes the most sense for Mayfield to return to the Bucs on a new deal, and the potential competition from other clubs next week gives Tampa Bay plenty of incentive to get the deal worked out as soon as possible.
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