MINNESOTA VIKINGS FACE CRUCIAL QUARTERBACK DECISION
The Minnesota Vikings are facing a critical decision regarding their quarterback position, and it’s generating quite the buzz. The team has two options: re-sign Kirk Cousins to a potentially expensive deal starting at $40 million per year or look to the 2024 draft for their future signal-caller.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, people around the league are closely watching the Vikings, who hold the 11th overall pick. The team did extensive research on quarterbacks last offseason and may target one high in the draft due to uncertainty surrounding Cousins’ future as a free agent.
While both sides express interest in Cousins’ return, drafting a top quarterback could present challenges. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would have to sacrifice a significant amount of draft capital to move up from the 11th spot to the top three.
The Vikings currently have six picks in this year’s draft, but only two of them (11th and 42nd overall) fall within the top 100 selections. To secure a higher pick, they would need assistance from teams like the Washington Commanders or New England Patriots, who would have to pass on a quarterback.
Previous trades involving quarterbacks demonstrate the high cost of moving up in the draft. For instance, the San Francisco 49ers traded three first-round picks and a future third-rounder to move up to the third overall pick for Trey Lance in 2021. The Chicago Bears also gave up two first-round picks and two mid-round picks to move up to the 11th spot for Justin Fields in the same draft.
However, it’s important to note that trading up in the draft doesn’t necessarily have to be for a quarterback. Last season, the Houston Texans traded multiple picks to move up to the third spot for edge rusher Will Anderson.
If the Vikings aim to secure a higher pick, such as the second overall selection, the cost would be even greater. The team faces a tough decision that could shape the future of their quarterback position.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings are facing a challenging situation as they consider a trade-up in the upcoming NFL draft. Not only do they have a limited number of draft picks, but they also have to deal with the hefty cap hit of quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins is set to count for a staggering $28.5 million against the cap in 2024, regardless of whether he remains on the roster or not.
This financial burden poses a significant obstacle for the Vikings. They will need to find cost-effective ways to address other roster needs, and this could make their draft picks even more valuable to them. In order to alleviate the cap pressure, the team could negotiate a new deal with Cousins. However, this would only delay their cap issues and potentially create more problems in the future.
Despite these challenges, keeping Cousins and renegotiating his contract could have its benefits. It would give the Vikings the flexibility to stand pat and focus on selecting their potential quarterback of the future in later rounds. One option could be drafting Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy with the 11th overall pick. Alternatively, they could consider Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. in the second round.
The Vikings will need to carefully weigh their options and make strategic decisions to navigate their current cap situation. The outcome of their choices will have a significant impact on their future success.
