2027 QB Rumor Mill Is Already Here for Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings haven’t even gotten the Kyler Murray era off the ground in the Twin Cities before Baker Mayfield rumors are stretching to the 2027 offseason.
Minnesota’s future QB chatter is starting far earlier than usual.
All the guaranteed money in Mayfield’s contract has run out, with 2026 as the final year of his contract, and if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t want him back, he’ll have to go somewhere. So, The Athletic‘s Jeff Howe mentioned the Vikings as a landing spot this week.
The Next Vikings Quarterback Rumor Has Already Started
If there’s a high-profile veteran quarterback available around the bend, the Vikings will be linked to him. Those are the rules.
The Athletic: Mayfield to Vikings in 2027 Makes Sense
Howe authored the article, outlining why Mayfield should cash in on an extension now and refusing to take a discount because the 2027 market could have suitors. Per Howe, Minnesota could be one.
He explained, “Mayfield has a chance to be the first QB to exceed $50 million in free agency. Considering the likely competition for his services, it’s not farfetched to believe he could corral the biggest contract in NFL history. And if quarterback Matthew Stafford retires after the 2026 season, the Los Angeles Rams and Mayfield might feel compelled to reunite. The Minnesota Vikings would be another obvious fit, but there would be a handful of teams ready to pursue the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner.”
“Mayfield should be very much aware of his potential market if the Bucs balk at the going rate. If he can’t reach a long-term deal this offseason, don’t be surprised if he adjusts his strategy to negotiate a clause that prevents the Bucs from using the franchise tag on him in 2027. It wouldn’t come with the desired raise, but it would get him to free agency next offseason.”
It’s a long way of saying that Mayfield may have the leverage to bet on himself this season, the final year of his existing contract, and that the Buccaneers should be aware of that.
Had a Chance to Get Him 3 Years Ago
Not long ago, Mayfield was available for a textbook “prove it” contract, handed to him by the Buccaneers in the 2023 offseason. The Vikings still had Kirk Cousins under contract, and of course, they didn’t know he’d rupture his Achilles tendon seven months later.
Tampa Bay wound up signing Mayfield for $6 million, prompting him to immediately show his worth and restore his reputation as a Top 15 NFL quarterback.
In fact, since then, when Minnesota could have landed him for cheap, Mayfield ranks as the NFL’s 14th-best quarterback per EPA+CPOE, sandwiched between Jalen Hurts at No. 13 and Tua Tagovailoa at No. 15.
The Best-Case Scenario with Kyler Murray
The utopian scenario for the Vikings has absolutely nothing to do with Mayfield or any external quarterback.
Minnesota has two possible dream scenarios ahead in 2026. It signed Murray two weeks ago, and ideally, he’ll play wonderfully in Minnesota and just remain the Vikings’ franchise quarterback for the rest of his career. Once upon a time, Murray was the first overall pick in the draft, and it would not be weird one bit for his career to be restored and reclaimed in Minnesota.
Otherwise, if Murray flames out or gets hurt, J.J. McCarthy is still lurking. He finished the 2025 campaign strong with impressive starts after a bizarre season riddled with injuries and poor play in the first six starts. McCarthy is still only 23; he could shapeshift into a franchise quarterback.
Everything will just be smoother for the Vikings if Murray or McCarthy pans out.
Mayfield Landing Spots
Howe also noted on Mayfield, “While Tampa should feel confident in its roster construction, superstar receiver Mike Evans’ departure in free agency was an eye opener and a potential indication of a leaky ship. There were also questions about coach Todd Bowles’ job security after the team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019, but he’s back for a fifth season.”
“The Bucs have never spent a premium price on a quarterback, though that could be explained by a lack of opportunities. After the Jameis Winston experiment fizzled, Brady took a discount deal before Tampa transitioned into Mayfield’s prove-it years.”
Let’s pretend that Mayfield does not sign an extension in 2026, hitting open free agency in 2027. His market will be robust. Teams that could snoop around his services include:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Arizona Cardinals
- Indianapolis Colts
- Los Angeles Rams
- New York Jets
- Pittsburgh Steelers
By that time, Mayfield may be able to request $55 million per season, assuming he produces a Mayfieldian season in 2026.
He’ll turn 31 next month.
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