“Ideal replacement”: Vikings eyeing $49 million QB to replace Kirk Cousins as a bridge to future success…
The Minnesota Vikings are faced with a quarterback conundrum following Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tear, prompting discussions about potential replacements. A notable candidate in the mix is Washington Commanders’ backup, Jacoby Brissett, whom the Vikings had considered acquiring during the 2023 offseason. Although they eventually opted for Josh Dobbs, recent reports suggest that Brissett could resurface as a viable option for the team.
Brissett, a third-round pick in 2016, began his NFL journey with the New England Patriots and later found himself with the Indianapolis Colts after Andrew Luck’s injury. Despite facing challenges, including playing behind a struggling offensive line, Brissett showcased his reliability as a game manager. With an 18-30 career record, he has maintained a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, demonstrating an ability to protect the ball effectively.
While Brissett may not be a quarterback to elevate an offense, he has proven adept at complementing the strengths of his surrounding teammates. The Vikings, boasting a roster filled with skilled players, see potential in Brissett to serve as a bridge quarterback in 2024. This strategic move allows them to develop a rookie quarterback in the upcoming season and position themselves for a competitive run in 2025, leveraging significant cap space for free agency.
One key factor favoring Brissett’s candidacy is his relatively modest salary. Having earned $49 million throughout his career, his recent contract with the Commanders was just $8 million for the 2023 season. This financial flexibility could provide the Vikings with the means to rebuild their roster effectively in free agency.
The Vikings are at a crossroads, facing numerous roster challenges that need addressing. Key players, including Danielle Hunter, D.J. Wonnum, and Marcus Davenport, are impending free agents at outside linebacker, while Jordan Hicks and Jonathan Bullard are set to hit free agency. Safety Harrison Smith’s future remains uncertain, further complicating their defensive outlook. Additionally, contractual matters for Dalton Risner and the potential loss of K.J. Osborn to free agency highlight the offensive side’s concerns.
Considering the team’s myriad needs, the Vikings recognize that realistically contending in the upcoming season may be challenging. The impending free agency of crucial defensive and offensive players only adds to the complexity of their situation. The team’s performance in the 2023 season served as a trial period, assessing the capabilities of various players and identifying potential starting roles.
The Vikings looked into this yesterday before they traded for Dobbs. https://t.co/LTP7xRe22E
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) October 31, 2023
If the Vikings were just a piece or two away from Super Bowl contention, retaining Cousins might be a logical move. However, the team acknowledges that they are more than a few free agency additions away from true contention, and their limited cap space poses a significant hurdle. Re-signing Cousins could potentially impact the return of Hunter, with extensions for Justin Jefferson and others on the horizon, further emphasizing the need for strategic financial planning.
The proposed strategy involves signing Brissett as a seasoned journeyman quarterback and drafting a rookie quarterback. This approach allows the Vikings to allocate their resources judiciously, creating financial flexibility by 2025. With the fifth-most cap space that season, the team can become active spenders in free agency, building on another year of evaluating their talent on rookie-scale contracts.
By implementing this plan, the offense would be primed for the developmental rookie quarterback, while the defense could undergo significant improvements with additional development and strategic free-agent acquisitions. The combination of Brissett’s experience and a promising rookie quarterback sets the stage for the Vikings to rebuild efficiently, positioning themselves for sustained success in the near future.
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