The Vikings have done a lot of things right. Next: finding Justin Jefferson his next QB

Carmen Vitali

NFC North Reporter

The Minnesota Vikings’ plan for a “competitive rebuild” would have worked this year… if it wasn’t for those meddling injuries. 

Between a former quarterback at head coach, one of the best receivers in football among myriad other skill players and a revamped defense with a fear-instilling reputation, the Vikings are just one question away from being a scary team.

Unfortunately for them, it’s the biggest question a team can have: who’s the quarterback?

Kirk Cousins was playing some of the best ball of his career before an Achilles rupture ended his season prematurely. It was before Minnesota’s defense put it all together, too. Cousins is set to be a free agent in 2024, coming off that Achilles tear and on the wrong side of 35. It isn’t likely the veteran will be fully ready to start the 2024 season, no matter what Aaron Rodgers says. 

It is likely, however, that he will come at a discount as a result.

Minnesota couldn’t make a clean break from Cousins even if they wanted to, anyway. Cousins had void years built into his previous contract that the Vikings kicked down the road. The end of the line is now coming up and Cousins is currently scheduled for a $28.5 million cap hit in 2024, according to Spotrac. That’s a lot of dead money for someone not on the team. 

The Vikings could instead negotiate an extension to spread more of that money out over the next few years while retaining a veteran who could return to form — or Cousins could become an Alex Smith-esque mentor for the next franchise quarterback in Minnesota.

The Vikings have every incentive to solve this issue early, too. Because of the elegance of their rebuild, if they get decent quarterback play, they’re ready to win now. They need someone to come in and hit the ground running. 

Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, 49ers’ Brock Purdy and more help those in need this holiday season

But whatever quarterback they get can’t be…

Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/the-vikings-have-done-a-lot-right-next-finding-justin-jefferson-a-qb-for-2024

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Publish date : 2023-12-29 13:00:22

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