5 fits for Joe Flacco that actually make a lot of sense

1. Minnesota Vikings

Despite failing to really address or upgrade his protection, the Vikings have had Kirk Cousins for all 31 meaningful games they’ve needed him for over the last two seasons. In five total seasons as an NFL starter, including of course the first three with the Washington Redskins, he has not missed a game due to injury.

The Vikings have widened their all-in window by signing Cousins to a two-year contract extension this offseason. While they should not turn down an opportunity to draft a quarterback in the mid-to-late rounds this year, that rookie should not be relied on to play right away and Sean Mannion would step in if Cousins missed time.

After a season as a senior offensive assistant, Gary Kubiak is now the Vikings’ offensive coordinator by title. He spent the 2014 season in the same post for the Baltimore Ravens, where he of course worked with Flacco.

In that one campaign with Kubiak calling the plays in Baltimore, Flacco had one of his best seasons. He set career-highs in touchdowns (27) and QBR (68.2), with the second-best yardage total of his career (3,986) and touchdown (4.9 percent) and interception (2.2 percent) rates among the best he’s ever posted. By average yards per attempt, both raw and adjusted (7.2 in both) and yards per completion (11.6), 2014 also ranks toward the top of Flacco’s career.

It will take just one bad or awkward hit from an unchecked pass rusher behind a mediocre offensive line for Cousins to suffer a significant injury. Mannion can’t be counted on to take over in that situation, and Flacco’s familiarity with Kubiak makes him a nice fit for the Vikings.