Last night I had a nightmare that Andy Dalton was the starting quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. How was Kirk Cousins moved? Who cares. But that got me thinking: With all the potential QBs on the market this offseason, how likely is it that any of them end up taking Cousins’ place if the new front office moves on from him?
There are more options than I initially imagined.
In my nightmare, Dalton was QB1 on ESPN.com’s Vikings depth chart. Was I trying to be convinced that there will be a bridge QB coming to town? Or is Dalton just my sleep-paralysis demon? Either way, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah may move Cousins in one of his first significant moves as general manager.
Here are all the eligible quarterbacks, regardless of whether they are likely to seek a change of scenery in Minnesota or have no business coming to town.
I could see that happening
Let’s start in the realm of possibility. Who are the QBs rumored to move on from their current teams? Would they fit the Vikings?
It’s a tricky question, but some players immediately come to mind. I buy the theory that Adofo-Mensah knows how much the Cleveland Browns value Cousins. Whether it’s a lot or not, I could see the Browns moving on from Baker Mayfield and trying to win now with Cousins.
Before you shoot the messenger, Mayfield would likely be nothing more than a bridge quarterback with this years’ weak QB draft class. The Vikings should get a good enough pick in return to draft a franchise quarterback in two years. Consider how decent Mayfield can be with weapons. It could be close to a lateral move given the Vikings’ record the past couple of seasons.
If the Vikings trade Cousins for nothing but assets, that limits their options to mostly free-agent QBs. That’s where I could see someone like Jacoby Brissett, Jameis Winston, Teddy Bridgewater, or Dalton. They’d only sign a free-agent QB if the Vikings are dead-set on a rebuild or see potential in Kellen Mond easing into his second season.
Some budget trade options would be fringe starters like Gardner Minshew, Marcus Mariota, or Trace McSorley. Once again, these are probably bridge QBs, but they also have starting experience. This route is boring, but they are some of the more realistic options for a Cousins-less Vikings.
Possible but doubt it
It’s rumored that Deshaun Watson would waive his no-trade clause to go to Minnesota, but would the Wilfs take him? I certainly wouldn’t, especially given there are still civil suits out. Sure, he’s incredibly talented, but I believe the Wilfs are dead-set on keeping players with good character in the locker room. I say it’s an easy pass, but the rumors keep coming.
Watson isn’t the only elite QB to want a change of scenery. Russell Wilson is rumored to test free agency this year. So, why not the Vikings? I’d argue it’s not a prime destination for Ciara. But Wilson spent time at Wisconsin in college, so he’s not a stranger to the cold.
If the Vikings pay up and find a spot for Cousins, whether it’s Seattle or not, I could see this being a possibility. But like many other QBs late in their career, Wilson may not want to deal with a mini-rebuild. And that’s likely what the Vikings are facing with their cap situation.
The honorable mentions in this group are Mond and a rookie to be announced. I just don’t see it at the moment, especially considering the front office that drafted Mond and Zimmer adamantly didn’t even want to see him play. That could change with a new coach, but Mond is a benchwarmer for now.
There isn’t much about this draft class that would lead me to believe the Vikings will swing big enough to draft a starting QB. But every year there are surprises, so who knows? Maybe Adofo-Mensah’s analytics will find the next Justin Herbert or Joe Burrow.
WTF are you going on about?
There are many ways to describe Aaron Rodgers: surfer bro, anti-vaxxer, silenced. But future Viking? Hell no.
Well, maybe.
What I mean is he could very well be moving on from the Green Bay Packers soon after a disappointing exit from the playoffs. So why wouldn’t he follow Brett Favre’s path and out-meme a QB who wears Wrangler jeans and Crocs?
That’s not happening. But what about a QB coming to Minnesota because their team wants Cousins? That would be a first. What if Kyle Shanahan still wants his guy from his time in Washington and pushes for a Cousins trade? Could the Vikings have a bridge year with Jimmy Garoppolo?
I don’t think I’d love that move, but if it makes room for other signings and the Vikings keep somewhat competitive for a year until their true QB of the future ends up there, then I can deal with that. And again, Cousins could draw assets with how high his perceived value might be to the right buyer.
Two final honorable mentions are Tua Tagovailoa and Derek Carr. Would I love either? Maybe. Tagovailoa has potential, and I think Carr can be good in the right spot. Either way, a trade would be required, and why on earth would the team move on from Cousins for them?
But that’s why this category exists. Anything is possible, so why not have fun thinking about it?
