Russell Wilson Eyeing Vikings as Possible Landing Spot for 2024

The 2024 Minnesota Vikings offseason is ramping up into full swing, which has generated a flurry of rumors and discussions Tuesday. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a lot of work to do over the next few months and, among their most important tasks, is figuring out who will play quarterback next season.

While many are advocating for a Kirk Cousins contract extension, others are begging the Wilfs to tear it all down, even suggesting they trade Justin Jefferson. But one piece of offseason steam released by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, links Minnesota and… Russell Wilson.

Related: BR Predicts Vikings Blockbuster Trade Sends Justin Jefferson to Arizona

Russell Wilson to Minnesota Vikings?

League sources see several logical fits for Wilson, who could thrive in an offense that schemes clearly defined throws off play-action and the running game. Don’t be surprised if Wilson, should he become a free agent, is intrigued by Minnesota, assuming Kirk Cousins doesn’t re-sign with the Vikings (a big question). Kevin O’Connell comes from the Sean McVay passing tree that maximizes quarterback efficiency. Wilson would have plenty of weapons in a group that includes Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison.

Jeremy Fowler – ESPN

Russell Wilson is (probably) a future Hall of Famer and he’s been a nightmare for the Vikings, going 7-1 vs Minnesota during his career. But in prior to the 2022 season, Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos and paid a handsome some to be their franchise QB for the next handful of years.

Drama In Denver

Unfortunately, that’s not how things have played out. Since being traded to Denver and signing a five-year deal worth $242.6 million, Wilson has been a disaster, going 11-19 while looking like a shell of the elite QB he once was.

I can’t stand Russell Wilson but the Broncos are one of the most pathetic organizations in the league. Let’s not forget Sean Payton was suspended for A YEAR for awarding bonuses to his team to injure players. #Broncos are just sad. pic.twitter.com/ui9EYz46h0

— DC (@draftcheat) December 30, 2023

Worse yet for the Broncos: Unless he fails his physical, come March when the new league year begins, the $37 million Denver is scheduled to owe him in 2024 becomes guaranteed. But things have gotten so bad that it doesn’t appear the two sides will make it to that point.

Related: NFC Wildcard Round Proved Vikings Need to Bring Kirk Cousins Back

It’s widely believed Wilson will be released by the Broncos, which will trigger dad cap penalties never seen before in NFL salary cap history. Once that happens, Wilson will be free to sign with any team that has mutual interest in making him their starting quarterback. Cost won’t be a factor.

Mr. Unlimited is expected to sign on the cheap if he finds the right team, given how much he is making from the Broncos for not being their 2024 QB. This is where the Vikings come in, according to Fowler.

Russell Wilson wants Vikings, but…

But there is one sentence in Fowler’s report that is very important and tells us a lot about how the link between Wilson and the Vikings came to be: “Don’t be surprised if Wilson, should he become a free agent, is intrigued by Minnesota, assuming Kirk Cousins doesn’t re-sign with the Vikings (a big question)” .

I think it’s pretty clear Russell Wilson has his eyes set on the Vikings, should they move on from Kirk Cousins, not the other way around. Wilson wants to join a good team that would have good tools around him and a QB-thinking head coach, which is why the Vikings are one of the first teams on his list.

Related: Russell Wilson’s fit as next possible Vikings QB

If the Vikings were to move on from Kirk, but still want to bring in a veteran bridge QB, Wilson might make some sense. He’ll be cheap and available. Will that be enough to gain mutual intrigue from the Vikings front office? Probably not but I don’t blame him for trying.