Kirk Cousins is going through his free agency process and the Minnesota Vikings have been open about giving him his space to decide what’s next for him, although the team has openly supported bringing him back.
That being said, the reality of Cousins signing elsewhere is a real possibility, and some of his replacement options might make Vikings fans cringe a bit.
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson has reported that Minnesota has “some interest” in Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson as potential Cousins replacements.
The #Vikings have “some interest” in Sam Darnold & Zach Wilson as potential replacements if Kirk Cousins leaves, per @DWolfsonKSTP
Wolfson said the “steam” on Darnold is “legit” and that he is “near the top” of the Vikings’ list of veteran bridge QBs. They’ve also done “some… pic.twitter.com/t9Cosw485V
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 10, 2024
Oof.
It’s hard to sell a fanbase, not to mention your superstar receiver Justin Jefferson, on a downgrade quite like this.
Both former Jets top-3 picks are looking for new homes, as Darnold is hitting free agency following a year backing up Brock Purdy with the 49ers, while the Jets have given Wilson’s camp permission to seek a trade as he looks to establish himself elsewhere following Aaron Rodgers’ impending return in 2024.
Wolfson noted that the interest in Darnold is real and that he is “near the top” of the list for the Vikings who appear to be firmly in the market for a bridge quarterback.
He said the Vikings have merely done “some homework” on Wilson, making him the less likely option.
This would be a pretty shocking development for either of these quarterbacks.
There are so many big names getting thrown around in free agency and in mock drafts, and these two were not guys many expected to emerge as possible starters anywhere.
If either of them gets a chance to start for the Vikings, it would likely be their last chance to prove themselves as starting QBs.
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