^To reiterate, I still think the Vikings best move is to resign Cousins IF he can be had at a fair price ($30-35 million per).
If that number swells to $40+ AND is fully guaranteed for 2 seasons, then I’d pivot toward drafting a guy to sit and signing “Dangerruss Wilson” for dirt cheap as a bridge guy. I’d not be shocked to see the Vikings nab 10 wins with him at the helm for an easier schedule, an improving young defense, and JJ healthy.
I don’t understand this thought process, “well we still have a cap hit of $28M so rather than take our medicine, let’s resign him and push that down the road some more and likely at a bigger #.” I’m fine resigning Cousins, but not bc of his cap hit, since resigning him will all but ensure a bigger cap hit in the future, if all goes according to plan (rookie QB taking over).
Let me explain it differently. THey are still on the hook for $28M if he is gone and would have to sign a replacement at whatever cost that might be so add whatever that is on top of this $28 to get your QB cap hit. Id rather pay Cousins $35M to have him vs $28M and whatever on top of that for some retread. Even if you could get Wilson for a couple million its better to pay Cousins $35 than saving $5m to have Wilson.
^I don’t think you’re going to get Cousins for one year (so your scenario isn’t a likely choice the Vikings have). It’s either he walks, or you pay him for 2 seasons I’d guess. Accomplished veteran guys at his position and talent level aren’t likely to play on a year-to-year contract in the age of more guaranteed money. Plus, it was pretty obvious they were a wildcard team this year had Cousins been healthy. The QB carousel that ensued after his injury did nothing but provide him even more leverage to demand a 2 year commitment and a market level salary at a premier position.
Im all in at signing him for 2 years I just didnt mention that in my post. I realize that is kicking cap hit down the road an additional year, but like I said he was MVP or in the race when he got hurt. He has basically improved every season hes been here and is flourishing under KOC.
If I’m the Vikings (especially now with the 9ers in the SB) I sit Cousins down, and tell him we love you, but your contract is a big reason we have not been able to do right by you over your time here. We’d love to have you finish your career here, and here is a 3 year $105M contract fully guaranteed, to do so. This will enable us to resign JJ and Darrisaw and Hunter and Risner and surround you with the best teams of your career thus far. That number is not negotiable, so if you’d like a higher amount enjoy Free Agency and thank you for your time here.
I see Cousins opening asking price is 90 Million over 2 years. This will move him from the current 15th highest paid QB to the 8th Highest Paid QB. Even though I believe that is about where he should be, I just don’t know how the vikings can afford to pay him that amount of Money. They are talking its going to cost them in the 120-150 Million $ range to sign JJ. If they sign those 2 at those $’s they will be tapped out and will not be able to afford anything for a quality free agent for the o-line, or the Defensive backfield. I just don’t see the Viking competing well in a tough NFC north with just those two players and the rest of the team from last season.
If I’m the Vikings (especially now with the 9ers in the SB) I sit Cousins down, and tell him we love you, but your contract is a big reason we have not been able to do right by you over your time here. We’d love to have you finish your career here, and here is a 3 year $105M contract fully guaranteed, to do so. This will enable us to resign JJ and Darrisaw and Hunter and Risner and surround you with the best teams of your career thus far. That number is not negotiable, so if you’d like a higher amount enjoy Free Agency and thank you for your time here.
I actually really like this strategy. Allows us to make an honest run at it while hopefully drafting a high-potential QB of the future to sit behind him either this draft or next, and puts the ball in his court.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BigWerm wrote:</div>
If I’m the Vikings (especially now with the 9ers in the SB) I sit Cousins down, and tell him we love you, but your contract is a big reason we have not been able to do right by you over your time here. We’d love to have you finish your career here, and here is a 3 year $105M contract fully guaranteed, to do so. This will enable us to resign JJ and Darrisaw and Hunter and Risner and surround you with the best teams of your career thus far. That number is not negotiable, so if you’d like a higher amount enjoy Free Agency and thank you for your time here.I actually really like this strategy. Allows us to make an honest run at it while hopefully drafting a high-potential QB of the future to sit behind him either this draft or next, and puts the ball in his court.
The hard part about being “all in” and making an honest run at it with that strategy is that to make it to the SB, you generally need some of those first and second year high draft picks to contribute right away at an average or above average level to fill out a deep roster in a hard capped league.
The Packers were “all in” with Rodgers but spent some solid draft capital on a backup RB, a 1st round QB, etc. that didn’t really contribute immediately and then came up just short in the NFC title game multiple times. In hindsight the Love pick looks solid and is hard to argue because it kept the Pack from truly tanking Post-Rodgers (so far). However at the time, a solid starter or above average starter at a position of need could have been the tipping point either of those couple years as well.
I don’t hate Cousins on a guaranteed 3 year deal at that price listed…but then as a fan I’d want to definitely shove all my chips in and either draft best players available at position of need or trade picks for proven guys (like how the Rams won it all). Plan the parade route and make it all hands on deck for essentially 2 seasons. Going for it all AND drafting a QB high to sit for a couple years is sort of like having your cake and eating it too in today’s NFL.
Going for it all AND drafting a QB high to sit for a couple years is sort of like having your cake and eating it too in today’s NFL.
That’s a fair point. If you re-sign Cousins but also spend a 1st or 2nd rounder on a QB, you’re saying “we resigned Cousins because we want to be good now, and we drafted a good QB because we want to be good later too.” And doing both isn’t very likely.
In fairness, that’s kind of like what they did with Mond and Hall, draft a (what we thought at the time) capable starting QB from college not too terribly early and hope he works out. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.
Drafting and building a team is extremely challenging. We can’t forget that if the 49ers plans went the way they intended, we’d be watching Trey Lance in the Super Bowl and would have absolutely no idea who Brock Purdy is.
If I’m kirko I’m not sure I trust kwesi to acquire the talent needed to become Super Bowl contenders. So then why take less than market value?
If I’m kirko I’m not sure I trust kwesi to acquire the talent needed to become Super Bowl contenders. So then why take less than market value?
This team is Far Far away from being a Super Bowl Contender. 2 More years with Cousins is not going to get us there. Not even with Cousins and Jefferson. My fear is unless the o-line gets much better Cousins is not going to stay health. His age and past injuries is going to start being a factor in his ability to stay out on the field.
Even if you could get
WilsonMr Unlimited
past injuries
What are these past injuries you speak of? He’s only had one his entire career, last season.
Prior to that he was literally 100% durable. He missed one game because of covid protocols. He’s never been an injury prone QB, not once.
^Agreed.
Kirk has shown nothing but the ability to stay healthy and on the field up until this season WHILE stepping up into shots in the pocket and delivering catchable passes. My complete guess is that will continue.
The other possible side of the coin is that he will likely stay healthy, but will adjust his play and whatnot to do so and be far less likely to stand in and take shots on a mediocre team. I remember late in Phillip Rivers career and Eli Manning as well where they would not even consider driving the ball down the field and taking one in the chops unless it was the game on the line. I had a college buddy who was a huge Giants fan and would say “The pass rush gets home in less than 3 seconds, but we never have to worry because Eli would throw it away in less than 2”
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>buckybadger wrote:</div>
Going for it all AND drafting a QB high to sit for a couple years is sort of like having your cake and eating it too in today’s NFL.That’s a fair point. If you re-sign Cousins but also spend a 1st or 2nd rounder on a QB, you’re saying “we resigned Cousins because we want to be good now, and we drafted a good QB because we want to be good later too.” And doing both isn’t very likely.
In fairness, that’s kind of like what they did with Mond and Hall, draft a (what we thought at the time) capable starting QB from college not too terribly early and hope he works out. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.
Drafting and building a team is extremely challenging. We can’t forget that if the 49ers plans went the way they intended, we’d be watching Trey Lance in the Super Bowl and would have absolutely no idea who Brock Purdy is.
Or not in the Super Bowl at all. Yes they got extremely lucky with Purdy.
Let me ask this?
Everyone wants to jump on the Detroit is going to be a powerhouse for years to come.
Are the Vikings with Cousins built that much different than the lions?
Good offense both probably top 10 if all are healthy. Middle of the pack defense that would need to get better to win it all. Unproven coaches in big playoff games.
Lions may be a tad younger overall but not much.
I would argue the O line of the lions is better overall, but the Vikes have some nice pieces there to keep building off of as well. Especially at tackle.
Running backs the vikes are behind but can be had fairly easily especially this off season and in the draft.
I think the Vikings are a much better team on paper than a lot of people give them credit for. Their issues this year were 1) turnovers early on and sporadically 2) injuries. They need to build depth and protect the ball. They will be fine.
I saw an interesting graphic earlier today that ranked the NFL teams but their drafts the last couple years and the Vikings were like 4th. You wouldnt know it by reading comments here.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
past injuriesWhat are these past injuries you speak of? He’s only had one his entire career, last season.
Prior to that he was literally 100% durable. He missed one game because of covid protocols. He’s never been an injury prone QB, not once.
Just because he’s not missed many games does not mean he’s gone uninjured. Did you watch the documentary on him and the other QB’s. Last season Cousins probably spent more time getting treatments for injuries than he did on the practice field. Only time will tell if he can hold up for the season or not. Unless they do something to improve that O-line before next season, I’ll be willing to wager cousins will not make it through this next season without a injury causing him to miss games. As a body ages, those old injuries have a way of coming back to haunt a player.
There O line is not terrible. That narrative is getting old.
PFN had final season ranking 5th
PFF I believe they were 7th.
Are the Vikings with Cousins built that much different than the lions?
Nope, they aren’t. And until the Packer game late in the season, the Vikings were in every game. Even with musical chairs at QB.
I’d argue that Cousins is also a better QB than Goff, although their stats may be pretty similar.
As a body ages, those old injuries have a way of coming back to haunt a player.
I agree. No one defies Father Time. Except maybe Tom Brady.
The part I didn’t agree with was labeling him as injury prone or claiming he’s had past injuries. He hasn’t. He’s very durable.
There O line is not terrible. That narrative is getting old.
PFN had final season ranking 5th
PFF I believe they were 7th.
What he said!
If you watch our line play We have maybe one reliable Piece to maybe two. First off Bradburry is not a reliable starting offense center he is built more like a guard. The has no leverage because of his short arms and being short. When you see him in person it is glaring how small he is. It is difficult to run the ball affectively especially against teams that play nose guars. Darisaw is ok but not excellent. Risner was a good pickup but their was a reason he was unsigned so long. This is a deep draft on offensive lineman would like to see them draft someone in the top rounds. The teams who have the best offensive and defensive lines usually advance.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Ripjiggen wrote:</div>
There O line is not terrible. That narrative is getting old.PFN had final season ranking 5th
PFF I believe they were 7th.What he said!
If anyone here thinks that the Vikings O-line was the 5th or even 7th best O-line in the league this last year, you must have been watching different Vikings Games than I was. The Vikings gave up 47 sacks this season – The 10th most in the NFL. Their RB’s had the 4th fewest rushing yards of any NFL team. That does not sound like top O-line stats to me.
There O line is not terrible. That narrative is getting old.
PFN had final season ranking 5th
PFF I believe they were 7th.
I think anyone saying we need OL help either isn’t paying attention or is just carrying baggage from the many years they were terrible. O’Neill is one of, if not the best, RT. Darrisaw is top 3-5 in the league. Bradbury has turned it around and is a very serviceable center. Ingram is still only 25 years old and growing into a very solid contributor. And Risner was good, tbd if he comes back or who fills that spot. But our current OL is just not something I’m overly concerned with, they need to figure out Risner/LG and maybe add some depth but those are not very big offseason factors (meaning not worth a high draft pick or ton of money, besides Risner) imo.
100% agree. Vikes have one of the top tackle tandems in the league, Bradbury was barely talked about (a good trait for linemen) and Risner was a great pickup. It’s not the O-line holding this team back. In fact if they don’t have a QB with good value available when they draft (don’t reach for one) I’d be fine drafting all defense.
Quite the contrary the guys saying the Oline are paying attention and our not trusting some ranking or individual stats. We have the third best line in our own division.
The Vikings gave up 47 sacks this season – The 10th most in the NFL. Their RB’s had the 4th fewest rushing yards of any NFL team.
And they were 28th in rushing attempts and 5th in passing attempts, which would align with those stats. I do agree the OL needs to get better run blocking and running the ball in general. But again the OL is not one of the biggest weaknesses on this squad anymore.
The D Line and secondary need to be biggest focus. I was watching some of the videos from the senior bowl practices and there is one interior D lineman that is an absolute animal.
I’d vote the DL as biggest need. They’ve got a lot of youth in the secondary that in theory should develop and take a step forward under the same system.
The OL could use depth. As an armchair QB, I’d rate the Vikings OL as pretty average? Not a completely liability but not taking over games either
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