Re-signing Kirk Cousins or trading up to choose a top quarterback prospect will have a significant impact on the Minnesota Vikings’ future, though there’s a good possibility neither will occur.
The most likely scenario, according to ESPN’s Seth Walder, was described in an article where he projected which NFL franchise’s starting quarterback would be in 2024. With Bo Nix as a caveat, Walder projects Russell Wilson will play for the Vikings. Wilson is still officially a member of the Denver Broncos.
Walder posted on Twitter on February 27. “Let’s call this Wilson plus Oregon’s Bo Nix,” Walder tweeted. Although Cousins may return to Minnesota, I can see the Vikings refusing to provide him a multiyear guaranteed deal. Wilson is arguably the finest temporary replacement if he is removed from the equation. (I’m assuming Justin Fields wouldn’t be dealt by the Bears within their division.) However, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if the Vikings want more than one guy to replace Cousins. If they do, it makes the most sense to choose Wilson and a quarterback at the eleventh pick.
Walder projected that Cousins will start for the Atlanta Falcons at quarterback at the start of the season. He predicted that the Vikings would most likely try to sign UNC’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
Russell Wilson Had Sneaky Good Season in 2023, Could Make Sense for Vikings in Short-Term
Wilson is a nine-time Pro Bowler with a Super Bowl victory on his record, and Walder is not the only pundit to suggest that he may serve as a temporary bridge to a rookie starter in Minnesota. Wilson will also probably become available soon.
Apart from a few difficult years, it seems like head coach Kevin O’Connell can work with that kind of quarterback. Additionally, any NFL starter worth their salt, whether they are over the hill or not, can use the pass-catching combination of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson to conjure up a tasty batch of lemonade.
Wilson received a lot of flak for having a bad 2022 season, but the quarterback did better than he was given credit for. According to Pro Football Reference, Wilson completed 66.4% of his throws for 3,070 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions in 15 starts.
Wilson is 35 years old, undersized for the position, and has lost some of the athleticism that previously made him an excellent improviser outside of the pocket. Despite these limitations, Wilson has 12 more years left in the NFL as a starter. If all the cards fall perfectly, he will land somewhere and get his shot, and Minnesota may be that place.
