NFL 2022: Predicting the starting QB for all 32 teams pre-NFL Free Agency
![NFL 2022; NFC quarterback Russel Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks (3) passes the ball against the AFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports NFL 2022; NFC quarterback Russel Wilson of the Seattle Seahawks (3) passes the ball against the AFC during the third quarter during the Pro Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/fd5c47cfbfdf4b1d40f54343af43d2201c8e55fb6acdd4e02cf862b3c70560c1.jpg)
2022 NFL quarterback predictions for the NFC North
Minnesota Vikings: Trade for Baker Mayfield
As we spoiled earlier with the Cleveland Browns trading for Kirk Cousins, this kind of move could make some sense.
The Minnesota Vikings don’t need a total rebuild and reset, but defensively, we might see them try to accumulate assets and reload on that side of the ball.
Trading Kirk Cousins for Baker Mayfield probably wouldn’t be a straight-up trade given Cousins’ recent production compared to Mayfield’s, so the Vikings might be able to get some draft picks in addition to Mayfield coming back.
Again, this is all hypothetical, but thinking from the Vikings’ perspective here, trading Cousins for Mayfield could make quite a bit of sense.
With a new head coach (Kevin O’Connell) and GM (Kwesi Adofo-Mensah), the Vikings probably aren’t diving headfirst into title contention. They have pieces, but they need some re-tooling. O’Connell has a connection to Cousins from their time overlapping in Washington, but does that mean that hiring O’Connell is connected to Cousins? I’m not so sure.
For the time being, Cousins is a valuable asset to them and with a player like Mayfield coming back in return, the Vikings could really keep one eye on the future.
It’s not like Mayfield has been an absolute hack for the Browns, either. He’s a former top overall draft choice who might thrive with a change of scenery.
Again, this trade is not guaranteed to happen, by any means, but it would certainly be fascinating, wouldn’t it?