4 Vikings Probably in Final 3 Games with Team
Like most offseasons, the Minnesota Vikings’ 2024 edition will be stuffed with change, as the franchise has more cap space available than at any time in the last decade or so.
The team’s leaders must decide whether to re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins and after that, the almighty domino, the vision for the future will become clearer.
4 Vikings Probably in Final 3 Games with Team
And while general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will make critical decisions on about two dozen free agents, these four players likely won’t return. They’re listed alphabetically.
1. Marcus Davenport (OLB)
Marcus Davenport was great — when he played.
The former Saint has played in four games this season, which was really only three because he tried to play against the Philadelphia Eagles but limped to the sidelines after one drive.
Davenport was a difference-maker for three contests and then succumbed to a high ankle sprain. No one has heard from him since. Folks aren’t even sure if he’ll return at all in 2023. His contract — one year, $13 million — would’ve been more than worth it if he played, but he has not.
Another NFL team will sign on for his services in March and hope the injury story has different chapters in 2024.
2. Joshua Dobbs (QB)
For a minute there, it felt like Dobbs could remain on the 2024 roster and perhaps patch over a rookie quarterback from the 2024 NFL Draft. He resembled a high-end starter for two weeks, sending his long-term stock to far reaches of the solar system.
But after Week 10, Dobbs regressed — suddenly and drastically — and is now “just another backup quarterback.” He won’t fetch starter money or anything close to it, likely on deck to play QB2 for a non-Vikings team in 2024.
The Vikings will have Kirk Cousins back in 2024, a rookie passer from the draft, or both. And that’s on top of Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall under contract.
Dobbs will be the odd man out, although Vikings fans will always reserve a special spot in their hearts for this Passtronaut.
3. Greg Joseph (K)
Because of this stat, Joseph probably won’t return in 2024:
Greg Joseph,
Field Goal % Ranking,
Last 2 Seasons:
2022 = 28th
2023 = 28th
Some folks adore Joseph because he habitually bangs through clutch field goals. But Minnesota can find a man who does both — connects on game-winning field goals and ordinary ones. Joseph doesn’t hit ordinary field goals at a satisfactory rate. He just doesn’t.
4. K.J. Osborn (WR)
Osborn was the WR2 on paper heading into 2023. Now, with no debate from anybody whatsoever on the planet, Jordan Addison is the Vikings’ WR2.
The veteran wideout has fired up a memorable and productive run during four seasons with the Vikings. But he’ll likely want WR2 money in free agency, and Minnesota will probably pass.
Osborn is amid his quietest season since 2023. These are his stats from the last several games:
- W9 | vs. Saints = 2 Rec, 17 Yds
- W10 | Injured
- W11 | at Broncos = 1 Rec, 7 Yds
- W12 | vs. Bears = 3 Rec, 34 Yds
- W14 | at Raiders = 4 Rec, 15 Yds
- W15 | at Bengals = 1 Rec, 3 Yds
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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