Vikings' Top QB Options After Kirk Cousins Agrees to Falcons Contract in NFL FA

There's only one certainty for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024–the team will have a new Week 1 starting quarterback for the first time since 2017.

The Vikings' starter for the past six seasons, Kirk Cousins departed the franchise Monday after he agreed to sign a four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

With Cousins out, wondering who is likely to be his successor is the natural next step. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, that could be Sam Darnold.

Darnold spent the 2023 season as a backup for San Francisco, starting just one game, but he did show some potential as he went 16-of-26 for 189 yards and a touchdown when the 49ers rested their starters in the final week of the season.

The 2018 first-round pick has not lived up to his potential, as he has a 21-35 career record and has thrown 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions, but he is definitely one of the best options still available with Cousins, Baker Mayfield and Gardner Minshew off the market.

The options on the Vikings roster are not likely to cut it either, as Nick Mullens, Josh Dobbs and Jaren Hall all saw an opportunity to stake a claim to the role after Cousins went down with a torn Achilles and none were able to inspire much confidence.

The best option via the trade market could be Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, as the Bears could take USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick. Fields has shown promise in his career and could be a great replacement option. However, the Bears' status as a division rival could make this a difficult move, and may force the Vikings to overpay.

Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Carson Wentz and Jameis Winston could also be free-agent options for the Vikings, and drafting a signal-caller may be an enticing option as well, even if the team were to sign a free agent.

Minnesota has the 11th pick in April's draft, and at least three quarterbacks should be off the board by then. More could get picked early in a domino effect, and the Vikings are definitely a trade-up candidate as well to land a player like Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels or J.J. McCarthy.

With star wide receiver Justin Jefferson potentially hitting free agency after 2024, getting this decision right will be crucial for Minnesota.