Former QB Ignites Beef with Vikings’ Handling of QB1
Can’t please everybody. The Minnesota Vikings will begin a new era at QB1 in September, and some are flummoxed by the franchise’s decision-making.
Former QB Ignites Beef with Vikings’ Handling of QB1
Notably, former NFL quarterback and current NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms was unimpressed last week with Minnesota’s handling of their QB1 situation. The Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins last week after Minnesota could not meet in the middle on a contract extension with the 35-year-old.
Conversely, Minnesota swung a jaw-dropping trade two days after Cousins formally signed in Atlanta, sending two 2nd-Round picks to Houston for the Texans’ 2024 1st-Rounder (Pick No. 23) and a late-round pick swap. The Vikings are now in firm position to trade up again between now and draft night, likely into the draft’s Top 5.
But regarding the plan overall, Simms was unenthused. He tweeted on March 13th, the day Cousins signed his new deal in Atlanta, “The more and more I think about it, the more I ask what the hell the Vikings were thinking letting Kirk Cousins out the door. A top 10-12 QB over a few million?? To start over at the most important position with no guarantee at drafting one of top guys??”
Minnesota could’ve re-upped with Cousins anywhere from one to three years but would’ve risked “doing the same thing over and over.” In six seasons, the purple team reached the postseason twice with Cousins in charge, accompanied by a single playoff win. Of course, defenses rarely helped Cousins along the way, but what would change henceforth if Minnesota kept re-signing with Cousins? Would hope have done the trick? Probably not.
Too, a new element(s) involving Cousins recently entered the debate: age and injury. Cousins will turn 36 this summer and is recovering from a torn Achilles — not a minor injury. There’s a small chance that Cousins shows up to 2024 or 2025 like his peers before him and isn’t quite the same player. Matt Ryan, for example, can tell you all about it. Minnesota didn’t want to risk the huge financial commitment.
Finally, Minnesota’s front office hired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell slightly over two years ago for a reason — change. The duo would always flip the roster and do business their way, and Cousins’ departure last week was merely the grand and somewhat delayed crescendo.
Perhaps Simms will change his mind when he sees the other Vikings shoe drop at QB1, probably a rookie like Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy from this year’s draft.
The draft is about five weeks away, and the Vikings hold the No. 11 and 23 picks.
Alexander Mattison Has a New Team
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.