What Is the Vikings ‘Quarterback of the Future’ Plan?
General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell have been high on Kirk Cousins. They believe that he is a good enough quarterback to win this league. O’Connell loves Kirk’s accuracy and ability to make all the throws. After announcing Kirk’s extension, Kwesi said:
“High-level quarterback play is a prerequisite to building a championship team, and we are confident Kirk will continue along that path.”
If the Vikings truly believe in Kirk this much, why did they only extend him for one year? It seems much more likely that hear the tidbits of how Kirk can’t win the big game. Or that he can’t elevate the teammates around him. The way this contract is set up seems more like a “prove you are the guy” than a “we know you are the guy” move.
For example, the Chiefs extended Mahomes to a 10-year deal, and this year, the Packers agreed to a 4-year deal with Rodgers. These are the contracts you expect to see for a franchise quarterback.
What does all of this mean? It likely means that the Vikings intend to move on from Cousins after his 2-year contract is up unless he can bring the team to the promised land. If he doesn’t, what is the plan after his contract ends?
Kellen Mond Might Not Be It
Under the leadership of Rick Spielman, the Vikings drafted Kellen Mond in the 3rd round of the 2021 draft. Some Vikings fans believed that he could be the heir apparent. However, he is a development type of player, so how far along can he come?
One of the most important aspects for a quarterback is to be accurate. After watching Mond play in the preseason last year, it doesn’t feel like he has this ability. That is not to say that a new coaching staff can’t correct some of his mechanical issues. Although, accuracy is not an easy thing to learn regardless of mechanical fixes.
Whether or not the new coaching staff can fix Mond’s accuracy remains to be seen. However, we should be concerned about his development. The Vikings are likely bringing back Sean Mannion, as Chris Tomasson reported via Twitter.
Vikings fans know that Mannion is more of a coach than a quarterback. If Mond cannot beat him out for the backup role, what does that say about Mond?
2023 Quarterback Draft Class
With Cousin’s contract appearing to be a prove-it deal and Mond not progressing as hoped, what is the plan? The Vikings need to determine if Cousins is going to stick around into his late 30s or if they will pursue a quarterback elsewhere. That elsewhere is likely the draft. But with Cousins guaranteed to be the quarterback in 2022 and 2023, it’s not likely to be in the 2022 draft.
That brings us to the 2023 draft, which has several quarterbacks that could be good. Two quarterbacks stand out amongst the crowd, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud. These two quarterbacks will likely be drafted in the top-5.
Hopefully, the new leadership is willing to do what the past administration was not. Trade up aggressively to draft the quarterback you want. If you can find a quarterback who you think could be the starter for the next 15 years, how many draft picks do you give up?
As many as it takes.
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