The Minnesota Vikings appear inclined to retain Kirk Cousins for the upcoming season, and the feeling seems mutual as Cousins has expressed his desire to stay. However, various factors could complicate the negotiation process. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might also be considering a future quarterback through the draft, aligning with the team’s strategy for a competitive rebuild.
Despite the desire to re-sign Cousins, there are challenges. The quarterback, who will turn 36 by the next season, is recovering from an injury and won’t be fit for practice until spring. Additionally, a rookie quarterback may not be immediately ready to play, especially if the Vikings are picking in a position where top talents are scarce.
Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports proposed an alternative solution that caught attention: trading for Kyler Murray from the Arizona Cardinals. The suggested trade involves the Vikings acquiring Murray and a 2025 sixth-round pick, while the Cardinals receive a 2024 second-round pick, a 2024 fifth-round pick, and a 2025 conditional fourth-round pick that could become a third if Murray reaches 4,000 passing yards in 2024.
Trapasso’s proposal is based on the idea that the Cardinals might be in a position to draft Murray’s replacement, Drake Maye of North Carolina, with the No. 2 overall pick. The Vikings previously faced Murray during Week 8 of the 2022 season, securing a win with a strong defensive performance against him.
However, there were earlier rumors about the Cardinals entertaining trade offers for Murray, which were refuted by insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Russini clarified that there was no open discussion about trading Murray, attributing the rumors to unfounded speculation.
Most rushing TDs by a QB through their first 60 games.
1) #Eagles Jalen Hurts – 35
2-T) #Panthers Cam Newton – 31
2-T) #Bills Josh Allen – 31
4-T) #Vikings Dante Culpepper – 26
4-T) #Cardinals Kyler Murray – 26 pic.twitter.com/AhduU6pNQ5— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 26, 2023
The financial aspect of acquiring Murray is a significant consideration. With a five-year, $230.5 million contract, Murray’s base salary for the next season is $37 million, and his cap hit exceeds $51 million. His contract also carries a $97.5 million dead-cap hit. Despite the financial implications, the Vikings may explore this option due to the challenges they faced with Cousins suffering a torn Achilles in Week 8, leading to a carousel of quarterbacks throughout the season.
The uncertainty in the quarterback position, marked by injuries and changes in starters, may influence the Vikings’ decision regarding Cousins. While a contract discussion between Cousins and the Vikings is expected, there are questions about the financial terms and whether the team is willing to invest more in a player like Murray. The outcome of this deliberation might become clearer as the draft approaches, potentially resembling Trapasso’s proposed scenario.
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