Kirk Cousins, the quarterback for the Vikings, is regarded as one of the premier free agents, particularly as the top quarterback option for this offseason. How will his status, along with the Vikings’ draft situation, impact a crucial decision in the offseason?
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) receives a chain from Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) following a victory against the 49ers.
It’s still over six weeks until the commencement of the upcoming NFL league year and nearly three months away from the NFL Draft. The Super Bowl hasn’t even taken place yet.
Nevertheless, I find myself once again delving into the intricate details, attempting to gain an early understanding of how a complex array of factors might align concerning the potential starting quarterbacks for all 32 teams.
For quite some time, the situation for the Vikings has been straightforward: Kirk Cousins holds the starting position. However, this year, the scenario is much more nuanced for the Vikings, and the challenging offseason they face is just one piece of the broader puzzle involving several other teams in need of quarterbacks—a topic I discussed on Wednesday’s Daily Delivery podcast.
When considering the best course of action for the Vikings, three key factors come into play, shaping the overall strategy: the evaluation of Kirk Cousins’ position in the free agent market, the dynamics of demand and supply in sports, and the market’s determination of the optimal solution.
Firstly, it’s essential to assess Cousins’ standing within the free agent market. According to ESPN, Cousins holds the third spot on the list of Top 50 available free agents, and notably, he is one of only two quarterbacks listed, with Baker Mayfield occupying the 13th position.
While personal opinions may vary regarding Cousins’ ranking, there’s consensus that he stands out as the premier quarterback available in free agency. Consequently, it’s expected that there will be considerable interest from potential suitors vying for his services.
Secondly, which teams might possess both the inclination and financial flexibility to pursue Cousins? I identified approximately eight to 10 teams, including the Vikings, that could be seeking a new quarterback. However, only a select few appear genuinely poised to pursue Cousins: namely, the Falcons, Raiders, and Vikings.
These three franchises boast sufficient salary cap space to accommodate such a move. Moreover, they may perceive themselves as being in close contention for success, thereby justifying the pursuit of a high-priced veteran quarterback.
Thirdly, how will other teams in need of quarterbacks likely approach the situation? The primary challenge for the Vikings regarding selecting a franchise quarterback in the 2024 draft lies in the fact that the teams holding the first three picks all require quarterbacks. The prevailing belief is that the Bears will select Caleb Williams, followed by Washington opting for Drake Maye, and the Patriots securing Jayden Daniels.
It would be considerably more feasible for the Vikings to envision trading up into the top three using their 11th overall pick and a combination of future selections if at least one of those coveted slots weren’t already occupied by a team in need of a quarterback.
Alternatively, teams such as the Raiders or Broncos might seek to address their potential quarterback vacancy by pursuing Bears quarterback Justin Fields via trade. Meanwhile, it appears probable that Tampa Bay will opt to re-sign Mayfield.
Quarterbacks such as Michael Penix Jr. from Washington, Bo Nix from Oregon, or J.J. McCarthy from Michigan should be on the table for the Vikings at pick 11. They could opt to trade down and still secure one of these three prospects, or even wait until the 42nd pick in the second round.
Under this scenario, the Vikings could potentially re-sign Cousins for a two-year term while also grooming a quarterback for the future. Alternatively, they could let Cousins go in free agency and bring in a veteran for a one-year stint to compete with a high draft pick for the starting role next season.
The decision might hinge on the Vikings’ evaluation of the next batch of quarterbacks in the draft, as well as how highly they value Cousins or how other teams perceive him.
