Dec 3, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) passes the ball in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings could draft a QB1-of-the-future in this month’s draft, stay committed to Kirk Cousins indefinitely, or swing a trade when the time comes “for the next guy” at the position.
Those are the options as of mid-April, with Cousins’ contract tentatively slated to run out in 11 months. The Vikings chose not to extend his deal beyond 2023 this offseason, perhaps hinting at the end of his tenure in Minnesota.
But according to Bleacher Report, Minnesota may be one of the franchises that put off the decision at quarterback until next year.
BR identified nine teams that could use the 2024 NFL Draft as a spot for a Round 1 quarterback, and the Vikings made the cut. Next year’s draft is already considered a playground for pro-style quarterbacks, although asserting such an opinion seems to be what folks say every year about the next draft class.
Brad Gagnon wrote about the Vikings inclusion on the list, “The Minnesota Vikings might have been a playoff team under the quarterback tutelage of Kirk Cousins in 2022, but they were big, fat phonies with the league’s sixth-worst DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) at Football Outsiders and a negative scoring margin.”
The Vikings 13-4 record in 2022 might be the first time in documented history when wins and losses no longer matter. In an ordinary season, Cousins is chided for not willing his team to victories or a winning record. He finally did it, and “QB Wins” are no longer a valid statistic — or the team is a big fat phony. Go figure.
“They obviously lack the draft capital to grab one of the big four quarterbacks in this year’s draft, but they could wake up and realize they’re not realistic contenders with Cousins and get something before him ahead of an age-35 walk year,” Gagnon continued.
Gagnon’s musings appear to suggest a Cousins trade, and if that occurred, the draft would likely be the venue. It’s also news to the Vikings front office that they’re “not realistic contenders” after finishing 13-4 with a first-year head coach.
He concluded, “Without Adam Thielen and several other vets who have moved on from the always-cap-strapped Vikes, backup quarterback Nick Mullens can drag the offense along for an evaluation season before the team goes all-in for Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in the 2024 draft.”
Gagnon ended up suggesting a Cousins trade and splash with two feet into the Nick Mullens era at quarterback — an idea uplifted by virtually nobody until now.
If the Vikings want Caleb Williams from USC or Drake Maye of North Carolina at this time next year, they should be prepared to trade considerable draft assets as well.
The other teams that could be in the 2024 quarterback sweepstakes, per BR?
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.