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Report: Minnesota Vikings 'wild card' team for QB Lamar Jackson

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•03/22/23•

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Lamar Jackson could end up in the NFC with the Minnesota Vikings, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

This was the first indication of a team off the radar for Jackson’s services. The Baltimore Ravens placed the non-exclusive tag on Jackson, freeing him to negotiate with other teams.

The Vikings’ reported interest or potential fit in Jackson comes despite having Kirk Cousins under contract this coming season.

“When you talk about good fits, I asked some executives around the league what teams would make sense,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “…Even a wild card like Minnesota. Kirk Cousins has one year left on his contract if they want to reestablish their identity there.”

Jackson played just 12 games in 2022 due to injuries and finished with 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 62.3% completion percentage, 764 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. They were very similar numbers to 2021, where Jackson also played just 12 games.

2019 remains the best season for Jackson as a pro: 3,127 yards, 36 touchdowns, six interceptions, a 66.1% completion percentage, 1,206 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

To this point, Jackson did not get what he believed he was worth in a contract from the Ravens, or any team for that matter.

Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer was asked about potentially going after and offering Jackson. He said it was an expensive option.

Jackson and the Vikings, on the surface, could make sense. It would immediately upgrade the position, seeing as most analysts believe Jackson is still a top tier dual-threat quarterback.

Cousins led the Vikings to a 13-4 record in 2022 and NFC North title, despite the team’s defensive woes. However, Minnesota went down to the New York Giants in the NFC Wild Card round.

Jackson reportedly wants a lot of guaranteed money and the Vikings could be willing to give it to him. That’s at least based on history since Cousins initially signed with the team in 2018 to a fully guaranteed deal.

Jackson’s eligible for a contract extension with Baltimore Ravens for over two years now, but the two parties are still yet to agree on a long-term deal. Jackson has been representing himself through negotiations without an agent, and on March 7 the Ravens placed their nonexclusive franchise tag on him.

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The tag pays Jackson $32 million this season, but also allows him to engage in contract talks with other teams like the Vikings.