Extend Cousins or ... ?

Yep, we lose Kirk and we might go back to making the playoffs once every 3 seasons and having no real shot at a Super Bowl...

There is a plan and it's plainly visible for everyone to see: EVALUATE EVERY OPTION.

Option #1. Extend Kirk...on Minnesota's terms. So far Cousins has said no. Does that mean it's no longer an option? Of course not. Many things can change for both sides that can alter the negotiations.

Option #2. Draft Kirk's replacement in the 2023 Draft. Kevin and Kwesi have kicked the tires on Richardson and Levis, which is their job as either could experience a precipitous fall in the total crapshoot that is the NFL Draft.

Hendon Hooker is also an option. I watched an SI QB Analyst eviscerate some of the knocks on him. I.E. that Tennessee's version of the Mike Leach Air Raid Offense is somehow easier to read for QBs than the version Mahomes played in at Texas Tech. It does in fact require going through multiple progressions. And that Hooker also played 2 years at Virginia Tech before going to Tennessee, so it's not like that's the only system he's ever played in.

The biggest concern is the ACL. The age thing is a joke. QBs play into their mid-30s all the time. If the Vikings had a QBOTF for 10 years I'm having a hard time seeing what's so bad about that instead of having him for 12 or 13 years instead.

He's highly accurate and mobile. If the Training Staff is good with the knee and Kevin thinks he can coach him up I'm all for it. Especially if Kwesi can get him after a trade down.

Option #3. Trade for Lamar Jackson. Fun fact: both of Jackson's injuries have come from the pocket, not from designed runs. Lamar actually excels at not taking big hits when he's running. Very adept at getting out of bounds or sliding. And plenty of big name QBs have missed chunks of time with injuries only to bounce back and play great again.

And why does Jackson have to run so much? Because the Ravens have whiffed at WR. Like a ton. So they developed a 'run the QB and throw to the TEs a lot' system. There's no reason why he can't play the exact role Cousins is playing except with mobility and the ability to make off-platform throws. Look at the passing stats. The kid (only 26) can throw the ball. Baltimore has chosen to emphasize his rushing skills. Minnesota doesn't have to do that.

The question is cost. It will likely take two 1sts to move up in the 2024 Draft to get their guy. And that's for a completely unproven Player. The same capital for Jackson doesn't bother me at all. The Contract does. I will bet dollars to donuts that Kwesi has communicated with Lamar about what he really wants. And right now, just the same as Cousins, it's more than he's willing to pay. But that doesn't mean Jackson won't change his mind the longer this drags on.

It's risky because Kwesi would have to nail his early Draft picks that he has left the next 2 years AND have most of these Murphy/Davenport type signings pan out at a high percentage. But it's still worth looking into a former MVP who's only 26 years old.

Option #4. Acquire some Draft Capital for '24 and aggressively target and move up to get your QBOTF in what, to me, is a deeper Class. There will be a lot more Richardson/Levis guys next year. Some with higher floors and lower ceilings. Some with low floors and higher ceilings. Minnesota likely won't have the option to sit the Rookie for Year 1 unless they do the bridge QB thing. Or Kwesi gets Kirk to stay one more season.

That's 4 Options that a fan can see. Who knows what else the FO is evaluating. More QBs have been traded in the last two years than in my entire lifetime preceding that. To say there's no plan is doomer mentality. What about Kwesi and Kevin suggests to any of you that they are making it up as they go along? Nothing that I've seen.

We as fans suck at patience. But that is what is required. There is a plan. We just won't know it until it's executed.

Guess it wasn't just media and fan speculation.

Kellen Mond says hello! lol

Now, I understand, that doesn't mean the next attempt would have the same result. But here's a question: outside of Jalen Hurts (round 2), Dak Prescott (round 4), and Russell Wilson (round 3), name a quarterback considered a franchise guy not drafted in the first round in recent years.

You consider Heinicke and Purdy to be 'franchise guys'? There's a few hits in the 2nd round, and basically barren past then.

Truth be told, this really does feel like they have their sights set on someone they think they can get.

I found this interesting because it goes completely against the narrative about his decision to leave Washington. He apparently wanted to stay and Washington preferred Alex Smith.



Provides some insight into his thought process as he becomes a free agent again next season.