Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings are still playing chicken with each other. Eventually, one party will have made too many demands, or the other will determine the value isn’t there and leave. If they leave, is it possible that their replacement already works for an NFL team?
Is The Next QB for the Vikings in the NFL Already?
Although selecting their quarterback with the first pick in the draft is the most obvious way to add him, there are other options. Given how deep this year’s draft class is, a sizable number of quarterbacks may be traded before the 2019–20 season.
Bridge quarterbacks are frequently thought of as seasoned professionals who can be brought in for brief stints. They do exist, but certain athletes might also stand for a particular degree of dedication.
Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos is the most costly of these. After being acquired from the Seattle Seahawks, he received a huge extension, and it appears highly likely that Jarrett Stidham will take his spot. Although Wilson isn’t nearly the quarterback he was when Pete Carroll’s career was at its pinnacle, it also seems improbable that he is as terrible as he has been in his new residence.
Wilson isn’t the same scrambler he once was, but there might be enough there to make it work for a few years, and he might benefit from a change of scenery.
In addition to the seasoned veteran, a few of the younger players have differing levels of interest. It’s likely that Desmond Ridder and Justin Fields will be cut by their present teams. The holdovers might be available since the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons are expected to acquire new quarterbacks. Although Ridder never really showed any signs of confidence, Fields has undoubtedly improved in appearance as he has grown, and it’s possible that the Falcons’ previous brain trust held Ridder back.
In addition, there is Trey Lance, who started for the 49ers in the past until Brock Purdy took over. Although Dak Prescott isn’t leaving, Lance was traded to the Dallas Cowboys last season, and he is most likely deserving of a starting position. With all of the injuries at the position last year, Minnesota might have used him as a better backup than Nick Mullens, and he would have received a lot of runs. Perhaps the Vikings are interested in hiring him.
Even though Sam Darnold and Drew Lock are younger and will soon be eligible for free agency, they don’t immediately stand out as starting caliber players.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expecting Baker Mayfield to return, but given his prior success, he might be available for a reduced price. Other than that, the classic bridge types—Marcus Mariota, Ryan Tannehill, Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, and Joe Flacco—make up the majority of the free agent scene.
The Vikings need to make the correct decisions at quarterback, no doubt about it. It would be great to find the right individual through the draft, but if they decide not to do that, there appear to be varying degrees of options available.