The Minnesota Vikings are on the quest for a lasting solution to their quarterback dilemma, yet they might find themselves resorting to a temporary fix once more. In 2022, with Kirk Cousins in the final year of his $66 million, two-year extension, newly appointed general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell made a short-term move by offering Cousins a $35 million deal to keep him on board until 2023, deferring the ultimate decision.
While the Vikings have the option to extend Cousins further, they face competition from other NFL teams if no agreement is reached before the free agency kicks off on March 13. Pioneer Press columnist Charley Walters estimates that retaining Cousins could cost the franchise up to $90 million guaranteed over the next two seasons. This would be another costly stopgap measure without a clear succession plan.
Gavin Dorsey of the Star Tribune proposed various options for Minnesota to replace Cousins, both in the short term and long term, through the upcoming NFL draft. In addition to considering 2024 draft prospects, Dorsey suggested exploring short-term bridge solutions that come at a lower cost than retaining Cousins and could potentially position the team well for the future. If the Vikings don’t view any of the 2024 options as their future quarterback, Dorsey proposed the possibility of signing a veteran free agent in 2025, such as Sam Darnold, Jameis Winston, or Jake Browning. This approach could provide a cost-effective interim solution and potentially pave the way for securing a higher-drafted quarterback in 2025.
Jameis Winston Offers Vikings Unique, Potentially Successful Replacement for Kirk Cousins