The Official Odds for Deshaun Watson as the Next QB of the Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have a decision to make on the future of current QB1 Kirk Cousins, either trading, extending, or allowing the 32-year-old’s contract to play out for one more year.
As is, Cousins would play for the Vikings on a $45 million cap hit in 2022, an inflated figure due to his $21 million cap hit during the 2020 season. Minnesota must be salary cap-compliant by Wednesday, March 16, so the verdict on Cousins should arrive any moment.
On verdicts, another Pro Bowl quarterback found one of those, too, this week. Deshaun Watson faced possible criminal wrongdoing for alleged sexual misconduct involving several massage therapists. Last week, however, all criminal matters against Watson were nullified by a Houston grand jury, meaning Watson “only” must seek resolution in civil court with the complainants.
And NFL teams watched the Watson hubbub closely, needing to see the criminal aspect of the situation subside. Indeed, that happened on Friday.
Now, a trade bonanza exists for Waston’s future as the 26-year-old requested a trade by the Houston Texans before any sexual misconduct allegations hit the national radar.
About 12 teams are unofficially enlisted in the Watson Sweepstakes, composed of franchises all over the map. For the Vikings, Watson is still a relative longshot, per Vegas, to land in Minnesota. BetOnline.ag unveiled the latest Watson trade odds after the criminal proceedings were announced, naming the Carolina Panthers the odds-on favorite for Watson’s services.
The Vikings are 12-1 odds-holders to pull off the trade. Here’s the full list:
Panthers = 2/1
Seahawks = 3/1
Bucs = 5/1
Browns = 8/1
Eagles = 9/1
Saints = 10/1
Jets = 12/1
Vikings = 12/1
Lions = 16/1
Raiders = 18/1
Steelers = 18/1
Colts = 25/1
All told, Minnesota is the seventh-most-likely organization to trade for Watson, possessing the same odds as the New York Jets, who employ Zach Wilson at quarterback.
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Three credible sources have linked Watson to the Vikings in the last couple of months — Jordan Schultz, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, and Aaron Wilson from ProFootballNetwork.com.
Even before Watson was cleared of criminal culpability on Friday, the Minneapolis media market was whispering about the Vikings interest:
Watson would instantly propel the Vikings to prominence — at a hefty price via contractual obligation and reputational controversy. Less than half the Vikings fanbase is sold on Watson-to-Minnesota for now:
Overall, according to sportsbooks like BetOnline, Minnesota has about an 8% chance to effectuate the Waton trade. The Vikings would likely have to trade Cousins, two 1st-Rounders, a 2nd-Rounder, and perhaps more in the deal.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. 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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