2024 Offseason Discussion (moves, rumors, hopes & dreams!)
Jan 13, 2024 18:08:31 GMT -6
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Post by Purple Pain on Jan 13, 2024 18:08:31 GMT -6
Alec Lewis: Vikings’ offseason decisions will show deftness of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s leadership
“Right now, in the competitive rebuild, we want to get to a place where there’s no rebuild, to where it’s just being competitive in a window,” Adofo-Mensah said Wednesday. “And I think we’re close to that. It’s going to take a big offseason.”
There’s a lot that is going to make this “big,” but the resolution at quarterback is the obvious fork in the road. When asked if he would like Kirk Cousins to return as the Vikings’ quarterback, Adofo-Mensah responded simply: “Yeah.” He even added that it is “certainly my intention to have him back here.” That is, of course, contingent on a contractual negotiation.
For the second straight season, the Vikings will be seeking to mitigate long-term risk, while Cousins will be wanting to maximize long-term security. Cousins’ age (35), injury history (torn Achilles) and performance (Cousins ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and first in passing touchdowns at the time of his injury in 2023) all factor into the discussion.
Extending Cousins would signal this regime’s belief that it can build a contending roster even with a hefty QB contract. Adofo-Mensah even hinted at this Wednesday. How would it do that?
“I think we have a lot of talented people in the salary-cap department,” Adofo-Mensah said.
Right now, the Vikings are projected to have about $22.5 million in effective cap space for 2024, according to Over The Cap. But that number is somewhat misleading. Extending Cousins into the future would allow the team to move some of his 2024 cap number ($28.5 million) into the future.
Minnesota also has a bunch of additional levers it can pull to create more money for 2024. The team could restructure right tackle Brian O’Neill’s contract to save around $9 million. The team could work with safety Harrison Smith on a potential contract adjustment. An extension for wide receiver Justin Jefferson could reduce his $19.7 million cap hit in the short term.
Those are just a few of the options at the Vikings’ disposal if they were to try to revamp their roster with Cousins in the fold. Even then, the onus would still fall on leadership to sign the right free agents, draft impactful talent, develop the young players and place them in systems that maximize their skill sets. It’s a tall task that will not be able to withstand misses like Marcus Davenport or Andrew Booth Jr.
On the other hand, if Cousins were to deem the Vikings’ offer unsatisfactory, the team’s situation would be similarly precarious. They’d simultaneously be on the hook for Cousins’s $28.5 million dead-cap hit and in need of a quarterback, possibly with the 11th pick in this spring’s draft. Obtaining a franchise-changer at the position could necessitate a trade involving future foundational draft picks. This would place more pressure on leadership to not only hit on the right quarterback at that spot but also be more precise in who they target to fill defensive needs in free agency.
Extending Cousins and mortgaging future assets for the future QB would only amplify the need for precision. By the way, Adofo-Mensah left the door open for this extend-and-draft approach.
“It’s the most important position in our sport,” the GM said. “You want to be thinking long term and short term. And ultimately, the Vikings are going to pursue actions that help us in both windows.”
As it relates to the need to fortify the roster around the QB, defensive coordinator Brian Flores might give the Vikings an advantage considering his scouting background. Not to mention, his defensive style resembles others who have had success overhauling their roster. An example? The 2021 Bengals, who targeted mid- to upper-tier talent (D.J. Reader, Trey Hendrickson, Mike Hilton, Chidobe Awuzie, etc.), plugged them into their adaptable system and enhanced their play.
Of course, the Bengals had already hit on safety Jessie Bates and linebacker Germaine Pratt, centering the attention again on Adofo-Mensah.
There’s a lot that is going to make this “big,” but the resolution at quarterback is the obvious fork in the road. When asked if he would like Kirk Cousins to return as the Vikings’ quarterback, Adofo-Mensah responded simply: “Yeah.” He even added that it is “certainly my intention to have him back here.” That is, of course, contingent on a contractual negotiation.
For the second straight season, the Vikings will be seeking to mitigate long-term risk, while Cousins will be wanting to maximize long-term security. Cousins’ age (35), injury history (torn Achilles) and performance (Cousins ranked second in the NFL in passing yards and first in passing touchdowns at the time of his injury in 2023) all factor into the discussion.
Extending Cousins would signal this regime’s belief that it can build a contending roster even with a hefty QB contract. Adofo-Mensah even hinted at this Wednesday. How would it do that?
“I think we have a lot of talented people in the salary-cap department,” Adofo-Mensah said.
Right now, the Vikings are projected to have about $22.5 million in effective cap space for 2024, according to Over The Cap. But that number is somewhat misleading. Extending Cousins into the future would allow the team to move some of his 2024 cap number ($28.5 million) into the future.
Minnesota also has a bunch of additional levers it can pull to create more money for 2024. The team could restructure right tackle Brian O’Neill’s contract to save around $9 million. The team could work with safety Harrison Smith on a potential contract adjustment. An extension for wide receiver Justin Jefferson could reduce his $19.7 million cap hit in the short term.
Those are just a few of the options at the Vikings’ disposal if they were to try to revamp their roster with Cousins in the fold. Even then, the onus would still fall on leadership to sign the right free agents, draft impactful talent, develop the young players and place them in systems that maximize their skill sets. It’s a tall task that will not be able to withstand misses like Marcus Davenport or Andrew Booth Jr.
On the other hand, if Cousins were to deem the Vikings’ offer unsatisfactory, the team’s situation would be similarly precarious. They’d simultaneously be on the hook for Cousins’s $28.5 million dead-cap hit and in need of a quarterback, possibly with the 11th pick in this spring’s draft. Obtaining a franchise-changer at the position could necessitate a trade involving future foundational draft picks. This would place more pressure on leadership to not only hit on the right quarterback at that spot but also be more precise in who they target to fill defensive needs in free agency.
Extending Cousins and mortgaging future assets for the future QB would only amplify the need for precision. By the way, Adofo-Mensah left the door open for this extend-and-draft approach.
“It’s the most important position in our sport,” the GM said. “You want to be thinking long term and short term. And ultimately, the Vikings are going to pursue actions that help us in both windows.”
As it relates to the need to fortify the roster around the QB, defensive coordinator Brian Flores might give the Vikings an advantage considering his scouting background. Not to mention, his defensive style resembles others who have had success overhauling their roster. An example? The 2021 Bengals, who targeted mid- to upper-tier talent (D.J. Reader, Trey Hendrickson, Mike Hilton, Chidobe Awuzie, etc.), plugged them into their adaptable system and enhanced their play.
Of course, the Bengals had already hit on safety Jessie Bates and linebacker Germaine Pratt, centering the attention again on Adofo-Mensah.
... and neither is this Chris guy.