NFL writer predicts QB scenario that is guaranteed to give Vikings fans nightmares for the next several nights
By now, everyone is fully aware of the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback situation and just about every avenue has been evaluated and discussed as we head into free agency. So maybe that's why the recent batch of QB strategies from national writers have been, um, strange, so to speak: The unique takes and angles have dried up, […]
By now, everyone is fully aware of the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback situation and just about every avenue has been evaluated and discussed as we head into free agency.
So maybe that's why the recent batch of QB strategies from national writers have been, um, strange, so to speak: The unique takes and angles have dried up, so it's time to spice things up.
First, The Athletic's Dane Brugler, who is one of the best draft experts in the business, said trading up to No. 7 in order to draft J.J. McCarthy after signing Kirk Cousins to a new deal would be the ideal situation for the Vikings. Again, Brugler is one of the best out there, but that idea doesn't make much sense.
Sure, it takes care of both the short- and long-term plan, in theory. However, there's zero chance Cousins signs anything less than a two-year deal and if it is in fact a two-year deal, that means McCarthy would play just one full year as a starter before the Vikings have to make a decision on his fifth-year option. Sure, they could offer Cousins a contract where they have some kind of out after Year 1, but Cousins is one of the better business minds when it comes to contracts – there's basically zero chance he takes that deal, as well.
In all, the Vikings are just asking for trouble with that hypothetical.
Another writer has the Vikings making an even bigger mistake, though
That doesn't even compare to the latest idea from The Athletic, though. Senior NFL writer, Zack Rosenblatt, cooked up the following QB prediction on Thursday:
Vikings: Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson
Let’s get wild. If the Vikings lose Cousins, their top target will be Mayfield. But if Mayfield doesn’t hit free agency, Minnesota might try to take a flier on a young option with some upside. Darnold has never been in particularly winning situations as a starter but no one has ever questioned his arm talent. After a year in Kyle Shanahan’s system, he might be ready for another shot at starting — though it’s possible Justin Jefferson (desiring a new contract) would not be thrilled with this arrangement.
In 2021, some with the Jets wanted to keep Darnold and draft Wilson and now the Vikings have the chance to play out that dream. Wilson is on his way out in New York but in the right environment, with the right coaching, he still has the talent to, at worst, be a high-end backup. Minnesota is a good fit. – Zack Rosenblatt, The Athletic
I admire the gusto required to make this call and Rosenblatt is a great writer and football mind in his own right, but this has puke emoji all over it.
As it stands, Wilson is still on the Jets, so the Vikings would have to trade something in order to get him on the roster. Even if it's a sixth-round pick, it's not worth it because the Vikings would also have to pay him $5,453,274 if he's on the roster come training camp. The Vikings have too many needs to roll the dice and spend a draft pick/nearly $5.5 million on a guy who has not come anywhere close to showing he could even be a trusted backup in this league. Wilson is simply not good and his confidence is obviously shot. Let another team take that on.
Honestly, Nick Mullens is a better option, due to his incumbent knowledge of the system. He also saves the Vikings a draft pick and counts $2.230 million against the cap in 2024.
And, even though Darnold was solid in his limited time with the 9ers, a world where he's the Vikings' starting quarterback is one no one really wants, ultimately. At best, Darnold is an OK quarterback – that much is very clear, at this point.
If this were to happen, somehow, I would hope the Vikings trade up to get McCarthy as Brugler proposed. Because a world in which Sam Darnold starts and Zach Wilson backs him up is frightening enough to scare anyone who follows the game.
