Vikings QB future: Sign a top free agent? Seek a trade? A look at five possible quarterback moves in Minnesota

Few NFL teams have had a wilder season than the Minnesota Vikings. After spending all of last season winning every close game imaginable, they began this year with four one-score losses in the first five weeks. Then they reeled off five consecutive wins despite losing starting quarterback Kirk Cousins during that stretch, and having to turn to Josh Dobbs — who had arrived mere days earlier — for part of it as well. When the magical Dobbs ride ended, they went to Nick Mullens, and now that Mullens has turned it over six times in the last two games (both losses), they are turning to fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall. 

And this has all happened while they have dealt with injuries and turmoil all over the place on offense, including losing Justin Jefferson for nearly half the season and now T.J. Hockenson for the remainder of it. And that’s just the offense, which was expected to be the unit that carried the team this year but instead has largely been the one holding a surprisingly-effective defense back. 

With the Vikings hosting a divisional showdown with the Packers on Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET on NBC) and clearly having no firm plan at QB for the future, we decided to take a look at what their options will be for next year and beyond. 

Bring back Kirk Cousins

Let’s be realistic here: This one isn’t happening. If the Vikings had any intention of running it back with Cousins, they would have extended him last offseason instead of carrying his $20.5 million cap number with a $28.5 million dead money hit for next year that kicks in when his contract voids at the end of this season. And after he tore his Achilles earlier this season, it makes even less sense for them to buy into Cousins’ age-36-and-beyond seasons. 

See what Jaren Hall can do

This option likely depends on Hall playing really, really well over these final two weeks of the season and looking at least competent in a potential Vikings…

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Author : Jared Dubin

Publish date : 2023-12-29 15:32:30

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