Post by Jor-El on Mar 5, 2024 8:47:14 GMT -6
I think we have beat to death the key QB options ahead of the Vikings - resigning Cousins or drafting one of the top 4-6 QBs with some kind of "bridge" like Jacoby Brissett. But let's talk about what if neither happens. It's possible that Cousins will depart AND the Vikings will be unable to get one of the QBs they want in this draft. On that second point, I think it's important that even though there are 6 QBs that are being proposed as likely top 50 picks, O'Connell may only be interested in a couple of those. If he only wants Maye or Williams and thinks the rest are no better than Will Levis or Kenny Pickett, that's that.
This is probably just for fun on this board, but I'm ready to hear some other ideas. I'm thinking along the lines of trading for Justin Fields as opposed to signing Ryan Tannenhill: bring in a starting QB who could potentially keep the job for more than a year if he does well under KOC's tutelage. I'll leave the Fields idea for another person(s), but I will offer one.
Sign Sam Darnold as a Free Agent. Darnold will turn 27 next summer so he is still young enough for a rebound a la Baker Mayfield or Jared Goff (I know, Goff was a better Pro before Detroit acquired him). The Vikings could bring him in as a starter and kick the "QBOTF" down the road for a draft or two.
Why the Vikings would want him: Darnold is a toolsly pocket passer who fits the Stafford/Cousins mold that KOC likes. He needs fixing, but that's what KOC is supposed to be able to do, and Darnold has a connection with new QB coach Josh McCown. With O'Connell and the Vikings' weapons, Darnold might improve. Ideally, he could be like Goff in that the world would expect him to be a placeholder until we draft his replacement but keep us from doing so. Bringing Darnold in would be an absolute test of Kevin O'Connell as a QB coach.
What Darnold would cost: I'm not a cap expert and don't see a market value estimate for Darnold, but I think he's going to get offers to be a backup and would be happy to get a shot at starting here. I expect he would sign a deal for $10M/year. If the Vikings know they aren't going to draft a QB in 2024, I think they should seek a 2-year deal with 2025 voidable if Darnold is a disaster, but leave them the option to keep him here if only to bridge a 2025 draftee.
This is probably just for fun on this board, but I'm ready to hear some other ideas. I'm thinking along the lines of trading for Justin Fields as opposed to signing Ryan Tannenhill: bring in a starting QB who could potentially keep the job for more than a year if he does well under KOC's tutelage. I'll leave the Fields idea for another person(s), but I will offer one.
Sign Sam Darnold as a Free Agent. Darnold will turn 27 next summer so he is still young enough for a rebound a la Baker Mayfield or Jared Goff (I know, Goff was a better Pro before Detroit acquired him). The Vikings could bring him in as a starter and kick the "QBOTF" down the road for a draft or two.
Why the Vikings would want him: Darnold is a toolsly pocket passer who fits the Stafford/Cousins mold that KOC likes. He needs fixing, but that's what KOC is supposed to be able to do, and Darnold has a connection with new QB coach Josh McCown. With O'Connell and the Vikings' weapons, Darnold might improve. Ideally, he could be like Goff in that the world would expect him to be a placeholder until we draft his replacement but keep us from doing so. Bringing Darnold in would be an absolute test of Kevin O'Connell as a QB coach.
What Darnold would cost: I'm not a cap expert and don't see a market value estimate for Darnold, but I think he's going to get offers to be a backup and would be happy to get a shot at starting here. I expect he would sign a deal for $10M/year. If the Vikings know they aren't going to draft a QB in 2024, I think they should seek a 2-year deal with 2025 voidable if Darnold is a disaster, but leave them the option to keep him here if only to bridge a 2025 draftee.
... and neither is this Chris guy.