The Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz trades have set the market for Kirk Cousins. The Minnesota Vikings quarterback offers shades of both players and would demand a significant return. However, the Vikings need a contingency plan in place if they’re going to move their $45 million man.
Given that a couple of quarterbacks showed out at the NFL Combine, and there are multiple suitors for Cousins, is a change imminent? Let’s look at the potential process of how they would move on from Cousins.
Let’s say they like a rookie
If the front office believes in Kenny Pickett, Malik Wilis, Desmond Ridder, or even a later-round QB this year, then more power to them. I love this route, considering it’s how guys like Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and many other stars developed. They were underrated prospects who sat a year (or less) to develop. And that’s something the Vikings haven’t ever gotten right at QB.
Experts agree that none of these guys, except maybe Pickett, are ready to play in the NFL immediately. That’s okay. It’s also okay for Minnesota to have a down year. Considering the team was bad last year, I say it’s time to take a gamble. If they find the right stopgap quarterback, things could be even better than last season. Think Case Keenum in 2017. They’ll need a bridge QB anyway to best develop their rookie signal-caller.
It makes sense that the new front office would want to develop their guy as soon as possible. The Wilfs have said this isn’t a rebuild, and it doesn’t have to be. But there’s pressure on the new young front office to compete next season.
Looking at players like Herbert, Mahomes, Allen, and even Mac Jones coming out and performing after being underrated prospects, I feel okay about this draft. There are always talented players who are underrated, and I trust this new front office to have a plan to develop the next guy if they choose to do so.
Kirk Cousins’ trade value
Let’s look at what a team would give up for Cousins. It’s important to dissect what the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders gave up to obtain Wilson and Wentz because Cousins falls between these two for myriad reasons.
The Seattle Seahawks moved Wilson because he was looking for a fresh start and didn’t want his O-line to hamper his play. Seattle sent Wilson and a fourth-rounder to Denver in exchange for:
- Drew Lock (QB)
- Noah Fant (TE)
- Shelby Harris (DL)
- Two first-round picks
- Two second-round picks
- One 2022 fifth-round
That’s more than what Cousins is worth, but I don’t think by as much as some people might think. Last year Cousins had a better season than Wilson, and they are both entering their age-34 seasons. It’s not far-fetched to expect a team like the Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Carolina Panthers, Miami Dolphins, or even the Houston Texans to sell out for a good QB. The Los Angeles Rams trade for Matthew Stafford has to be looming large in everyone’s mind.
But you have to factor in the Wentz trade, too. Cousins is making so much that trading him would completely alleviate all of the $14-plus million the Vikings are over the cap. They need money just to sign the incoming rookie class. That’s why the Vikings lose some leverage and should be even more motivated to move Cousins.
The Colts got rid of Wentz because he didn’t look like a franchise QB, and he was reportedly a toxic teammate in Philadelphia. The Vikings should move Cousins because he’s making too much against their cap and hasn’t gotten the job done. Minnesota’s offense would function with a bridge QB.
It looks like the Vikings could get one high first-round pick for Cousins and exchange of later picks. They’d also get the added benefit of cap room and assets going into the draft — something in between what the Seahawks and what the Colts got. Washington sent Indianapolis two thirds and a second swap.
This is a bridge-quarterback year
There is an argument for and against taking a year with a bridge quarterback to develop a rookie. But I don’t really see many downsides to doing so. What’s the worst that can happen, the Vikings get a high first-rounder next year?
Realistically, signing a free agent is Minnesota’s best option to replace Cousins and ease in a rookie. I see some good fits for this team. Cousins can’t navigate in the pocket when he has a poor O-line, but there are cheaper options that can.
I like the idea of signing one of Marcus Mariota, Jacoby Brissett, Tyrod Taylor, or even Colt McCoy for a one-year deal. They’ll be dirt cheap, and it would be a better fit for a team that will struggle to improve the line with their current cap situation, even after moving Cousins.
Taylor paved the way for Herbert to earn a starting role. He is a legitimate example of using a bridge quarterback to help the development of a rookie. Alex Smith played the same role for Mahomes in Kansas City.
An increasing number of teams are capitalizing on quarterbacks with rookie contracts. It’s much more efficient for the Vikings to build around a rookie QB, especially considering that Cousins hasn’t gotten it done in Minnesota. This is their chance to do it. Given the market for QBs, they could potentially get a king’s ransom in return for Cousins right now.
