Vikings are odds favorites to make a terrible mistake
There are bad moves for franchises, and then there are franchise-killing moves. Bad moves you can recover from. The franchise-killers are a different story. Look at the 49ers. They spent a ton of capital on a quarterback that isn't even on the team now. They are competing for a Super Bowl. Now, look at the […]
There are bad moves for franchises, and then there are franchise-killing moves. Bad moves you can recover from. The franchise-killers are a different story.
Look at the 49ers. They spent a ton of capital on a quarterback that isn't even on the team now. They are competing for a Super Bowl. Now, look at the Panthers. There is a clear difference.
Another team that has fallen into more of the Panthers category recently is the Denver Broncos. Denver traded for and then threw the bank at quarterback Russell Wilson. The Broncos have accomplished nothing in the interim and Wilson's time in Denver is likely up. The Minnesota Vikings need to stay far, far away if the former Super Bowl champion becomes available.
At face value, it makes sense that Minnesota would be the odds leader for Wilson's next destination. However, putting this idea up against the slightest scrutiny should end that immediately.
This first part of this argument that falls apart is the mere notion that the Vikings should not pay Kirk Cousins in favor of paying Russell Wilson.
It makes sense that some would think that Cousins and the Vikings could be heading towards a break, but on the other hand, it is also worth seeing the relationship between these two for what it really is; the most beneficial option for both parties.
Cousins has been great for the vast majority of his time in Minnesota, and the Vikings have done a good job at finding new weapons for him. An injury may hurt his value on the market, but the Vikings very obviously needing consistency at the quarterback position (the one thing keeping them from the playoffs right now) should make a reunion more likely.
Cousins has been a better leader with the Vikings than Wilson has with the Broncos or the Seahawks, has less of a place in the negative spotlight, and could be cheaper despite having a higher ceiling than Wilson due to an injury.
Assuming there is even a chance that Cousins could stay, that should kill the idea immediately. However, even a pure analysis of Wilson and what has gone down with the Broncos should be enough to cause any team to pause in their pursuit of him.
Sure, the stats this year for Wilson look pretty good, but stats aren't translating to wins, a shot at the playoffs, or a good team culture at the moment.
While there may be a lot working against the Vikings right now, culture doesn't seem to be an issue. Why risk bringing in a guy with a lot of negative publicity over the past two years that isn't playing as well as his stats indicate when you have Cousins as a top option?
Furthermore, even if Cousins isn't available, why truly rule out a cheaper quarterback option that could flourish under the favorable circumstances in Minnesota? After watching Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith revive their careers, is anything truly out of the question in that area?
One way or another, the move just doesn't make sense for the Vikings. It might make sense for Wilson, but the best thing for Wilson and the best thing for his franchises have often been quite different.
The Vikings should probably stay away.
Vikings’ season takes surprising turn
It’s an interesting, even though not shocking decision
