The Minnesota Vikings will have to make a franchise altering decision come this offseason.
Do they or do they not keep quarterback, Kirk Cousins?
Ever since joining the Vikings in 2018, Cousins never quite lived up to the expectations.
Of course, those expectations were Super Bowl or bust and in Cousins tenure with Minnesota, he’s only won one playoff game.
Minnesota still has a shot of making the playoffs this year, but if they don’t, then it is more likely than not that Kirk Cousins will be finding a new home elsewhere.
Here are 3 viable replacement options for the Vikings.
1. QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
One of the most controversial free agents of this upcoming class will be Dallas Cowboys quarterback, Dak Prescott.
Of course, last year Dak and Dallas engaged in fervid contract negotiations that never quite worked out as Dak ended up signing the franchise tag.
Sources have made it clear that Dak will not sign another franchise tag this offseason.
So, either Dallas gives him his long-term contract or he plays elsewhere.
The controversy sets in as Dak suffered a season-ending injury back in October.
Dallas may try to use to their advantage in contract talks.
But, it could frustrate Dak and lead him to go play elsewhere.
Teams such as Jacksonville and San Francisco may be interested, but do not discount the Minnesota Vikings.
Dak would be a nice fit along Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen.
Minnesota shocked the world when they signed Cousins 3 threes ago.
Don’t be shocked if they do the same with Dak.
2. QB Cam Newton, New England Patriots
Remember, when Cam Newton took this New England job, he knew he would be auditioning for the entire NFL.
QBs who signed deals for more guaranteed 💰 than Cam Newton this offseason:
Andy Dalton
Blaine Gabbert
Colt McCoy
Jeff Driskel
Chase Daniel
Marcus Mariota
Case Keenum
A.J. McCarron
Matt Schaub
Matt Barkley
Nathan PetermanPatriots have their Superman 💪 (h/t @billbarnwell) pic.twitter.com/7ympUdaHxR
— ESPN (@espn) September 21, 2020
This season has been his chance to prove to other teams that he can still play at a high level in this league.
While he has had his ups and downs throughout the course of this season, he may very well be a good fit for this Minnesota offense.
The Vikings offense only goes as far as Dalvin Cook will take them.
Adding another fearsome athletic body in Cam Newton to that starting lineup will allow this offense to open up more.
Over the last month, we have seen Cam Newton make it work in New England as they have picked up wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Arizona Cardinals.
While Cam will not be a long term answer in Minnesota, he may be able to propel them further than Cousins.
3. QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Trey Lance has become somewhat of a sensation over the last couple months.
In most early mock drafts, he is projected to be the third quarterback taken off the board, behind Trevor Lawerence and Justin Fields.
But, in a recent mock draft released by CBS Sports, they have Lance falling in the middle.
2021 Mock Draft QBs selected in the 1st round
(According to @ryanwilsonCBS)1. Trevor Lawrence (Jets)
2. Justin Fields (Jags)
5. Zach Wilson (Washington)
12. Mac Jones (Pats)
16. Trey Lance (Bears) pic.twitter.com/lnqevh5YjO— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) November 30, 2020
Both the Bears and Vikings have the same record of 5-6.
It appears as if both teams will be missing the playoffs and thus, have an equal chance of landing somewhere in the middle of the draft.
Both Lawerence and Fields are out of the picture for Minnesota unless they are able to pull off some blockbuster deal.
But, it seems that Lance may actually be a realistic option for this team.
Lance, possesses both deadly accuracy and athletic ability within the pocket.
He has the potential to be long-term answer for the Minnesota Vikings.
