3 Kirk Cousins replacements Vikings can reach for out of desperation
By Scott Rogust
If the Minnesota Vikings become desperate when it comes to quarterback Kirk Cousins, here are three options they can consider.
Kirk Cousins was signed by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 to help lead the team to the Super Bowl. In his four years with the team, he has yet to do so. The Vikings entered Week 17 in the midst of the NFC playoff picture, but Cousins was unavailable for the team’s pivotal game against the Green Bay Packers.
The veteran is entering the final year of his contract in 2022, where he is set to earn a base salary of $35 million and will count for $45 million against the cap, per Spotrac.
The Vikings need to consider what direction they want to go in if the organization does not believe Kellen Mond is ready to take the reins of the offense just yet. If Minnesota is desperate to move on from Cousins one way or another, here are three options they should consider.
Vikings: Kirk Cousins replacements if team gets desperate to replace QB
Draft Carson Strong
If the Vikings ultimately choose to go with Cousins for another year or if they move him to another team, the NFL Draft is an option. There is no Trevor Lawrence or Andrew Luck in the 2022 NFL Draft class, but there are plenty of prospects who can be developed into starters.
Minnesota can opt to use their first-round pick on a position of need or best player available. But on Day 2 of the draft, they should consider Nevada signal caller Carson Strong.
Strong is coming off a huge statistical season with the Wolfpack. Through 12 games, Strong completed 70.2-percent of his passes for 4,186 yards, 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In his four years at Nevada, Strong compiled 9.379 passing yards, 74 passing touchdowns, 19 interceptions and a completion percentage of 68.1. Perhaps most importantly, Strong had never thrown double-digit interceptions in a single-season with the Wolfpack.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Strong as the sixth-best quarterback in the 2022 class.