Minnesota Vikings brass won’t commit to Kirk Cousins beyond this season, but how will they replace him at QB if they let him leave after 2023?
Time might finally be running out for Kirk Cousins with the Minnesota Vikings.
The 35-year-old is entering the final year of his contract with the Vikings in 2023 and the club made it clear early in the offseason that, if they were going to extend him, he would have to earn it. That was furthered on Wednesday with a report that the team’s ownership and front office are “noncommittal” on Cousins’ future with the franchise.
For many Vikings fans, they’ve been waiting for Minnesota to replace Kirk Cousins for some time. Yes, the counting stats have long been there and so have regular-season wins. But in big moments and in the postseason, Cousins has not once proven he’s the franchise quarterback to get the job done. So indeed, there is merit to moving on from him heading into 2024.
What kind of options would Minnesota have if they did that, though? Actually, quite a few good ones depending on the direction that they want to go. But what’s clear is that they can’t waste any time if they’re going to move on given that Justin Jefferson is entering his prime and the core around him appears capable of contending.
So with that, let’s dive into five Kirk Cousins replacements the Vikings should already be considering as options to put under center in 2024 and perhaps beyond.
Vikings Rumors: 5 Kirk Cousins replacements to already consider
5. Ryan Tannehill isn’t an upgrade from Kirk Cousins, but he can be a stopgap
Another veteran free agent for the 2024 offseason is current Tennessee Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Unlike Cousins, though, his path out of the door in Nashville seems to have already been paved with certainty with the club using a second-round pick on Will Levis in this past year’s draft — and a third-rounder on Malik Willis the year prior.
Tannehill has never been a certified world-beater in his career, either with the Titans or with the Dolphins previously. However, he’s enjoyed a ton of success at the helm of the Tennessee offense with his ability to take care of the football, maintain his mobility and athleticism even as he’s gotten older, and playing within the constructs of a well-designed offense.
Making a free agency ploy for Tannehill would not be a long-term option for the Vikings as it pertains to replacing Cousins, of course.
The simplest reason for that is that the two quarterbacks are the same age (35 entering the 2023 season), which puts a definite cap on how long either player can be effective. Having said that, there is a chance that signing Tannehill away from Tennessee could be a cheaper option for the Vikings than re-signing or extending Cousins.
With the front office having to weigh and currently negotiate what’s sure to be a monstrous extension for Justin Jefferson, getting cheaper at quarterback is crucial for the future. And if Tannehill can be a parallel move while the team drafts a developmental quarterback, perhaps that’s the best option for them.