Where Kirk Cousins Might Land if Vikings Rebuild This Offseason
Dustin Baker
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Through 11 games of 2021, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks as follows in meaningful quarterback metrics:
➤ 2nd in PFF
➤ 3rd in Passer Rating
➤ 3rd in DVOA
➤ 11th in EPA+CPOE
➤ 11th in QBR
Still, the franchise might veer in a different direction if the front office is recalibrated. Indeed, in the event the Vikings moved on from general manager Rick Spielman — assuming Minnesota doesn’t make a major playoff push in the next two months — the franchise could rebuild for the first time since 2011 or so.
In that case, Cousins would likely be traded elsewhere, offloading the quarterback’s salary to a different NFL team. The Vikings would eat $10 million in dead cap, whereas the theoretical trade partner would employ Cousins and eat $35 million of his 2022 salary.
These are hypothetical Cousins landing spots, in no particular order of likelihood. In fact, these are listed in alphabetical order.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are a mess at quarterback. The franchise took a flyer on Sam Darnold and his youthful potential. So far, the experiment has flopped. He flat-out isn’t very good.
Then, they signed Cam Newton as a stop-gap after Darnold was injured. Newton showcased a few good plays in his return “home,” but that’s about it.
Should the Panthers wish to be finished already with the Darnold Sweepstakes, they’ll need an astute thrower of the football. Cousins is that.
Otherwise, Carolina will have to choose a rookie quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft, an event not touted right now for quarterback supremacy.
Denver Broncos
In the general manager’s office, the Broncos host George Paton who has ties to the Vikings organization. He’s a friend to Vikings bossman, Rick Spielman. Denver is locked in a fight for AFC West that could truly result in the Broncos on top — or in last place, missing out on the postseason entirely.
It is unclear if Teddy Bridgewater is the long-term solution in Colorado. If he is not, Paton will be quarterback shopping this offseason because the zeal around second-year passer Drew Lock seems dull, too.
Cousins was rumored to Denver amid the 2018 free agency period. All Denver needs is a flinger of the football, distributing the pigskin to Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, and Noah Fant. You can bet your buttocks Cousins could do that.
Full disclosure: Aaron Rodgers could be the QB1 to land here, as well.
Houston Texans
Tyrod Taylor has gradually turned back into a QB2 pumpkin. Davis Mills might mature into a reasonable quarterback — or he, like Taylor, could devolve into a career reservist player.
One thing is certain: Deshaun Watson’s career in Houston is kaput. When the Texans eventually trade him — probably to the Miami Dolphins — they’ll need to start fresh. Cousins landing in southeast Texas tracks because he could be “the guy,” or he could serve as a two-year patchover to their next plan at quarterback.
Unless Houston is quietly enamored with Mills, the Texans will need a new quarterback in 2022. And if the Vikings want to start over, Cousins has to go somewhere. Those two facts subconsciously merge.
New Orleans Saints
This idea was spitballed already by the Pioneer Press earlier in the week.
After Thursday Night Football where the Saints looked silly on offense versus the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans might want a new look at QB1 in 2022. The Saints front office — like the Vikings — will have to effectuate some innovative salary cap work this offseason, so that very vividly makes Cousins-to-New-Orleans a bit tricky.
However, they encountered the same salary cap hell last season and made it work. Therefore, a Cousins trade to the Saints isn’t wildly inconceivable.
New Orleans is used to a guy diming 4,000-5,000 yards through the air per season. But that guy, Drew Brees, rode off into the sunset — known as the announcer booth.
Cousins can replicate the passing production rendered consistently by Brees. And with a little Sean Payton tutelage, Cousins would excel in New Orleans.
They could also give Jameis Winston another whirl.
Pittsburgh Steelers
You are watching the final 1-2 months of Ben Roethlisberger’s career. Until the final four minutes of the 4th Quarter, he stinks. He’s buried at the bottom of the league for quarterback production in all metrics. Roethlisberger still authors impressive late-game theatrics, but the first three quarters are gruesome.
The Steelers will find a new quarterback for 2022. It won’t be Roethlisberger. And the irritant Mason Rudolph isn’t the savior.
Death, taxes, and a sturdy Steelers defense. That would mesh well with Cousins’ resume. The Washington Football Team defenses from 2015, 2016, and 2017 weren’t very helpful, leaving Cousins to do most of the game-winning on his own. When he arrived in Minnesota, the Vikings defense was wonderful for two years (2018 and 2019). In 2020 and 2021, the proud Zimmer defense has whimpered.
Dropped into a reputable Steelers organization, Cousins could make a difference with its plentiful receiving corps and upstart running back, Najee Harris.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This could be Tom Brady’s last hurrah.
Let’s assume that’s true — why wouldn’t it be for a soon-to-be 45-year-old? The Buccaneers depth chart would probably still holster a lot of roster talent for 2022. Cousins could steer the ship on offense. He’ll never be as marvelous as Brady — nobody in the world has ever been — but he would ensure the Buccaneers stay in the NFC playoff chase.
Otherwise, Tampa Bay will rely on Kyle Trask. And nobody knows if he’s any good — or just another Brady successor who doesn’t break out into stardom (Ryan Mallet, Matt Cassel, Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, etc.)
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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