Vikings Sign’s $20 Million Key Player QB to Replace kinsmen…
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback situation will only become murkier in the offseason with Kirk Cousins’ contract set to expire. The team will have to navigate another possible quarterback change in Week 16.
With only backups Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall signed for the upcoming campaign, the Vikings must act.
However, the Vikings may decide to sign a seasoned bridge quarterback to start the following season if Cousins drives too hard for a deal.
The staff at Bleacher Report thinks Minnesota could benefit from Gardner Minshew, the quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.
Per the Bleacher Report article, “Minshew would be a solid option in free agency since he’s done a good job filling in for Anthony Richardson this season.” “The five-year veteran kept the Colts in the playoff hunt with a 63.3 completion percentage, nearly 2,800 yards, and 14 touchdowns coming into this weekend.”
Gardner Minshew An Ideal Kirk Cousins Replacement While Vikings Develop Rookie QB…
Minshew, a sixth-round selection in 2019, has struggled with his draft position to establish himself as an NFL starter who is on the edge. As of yet, no team has considered him a true starter.
Minshew attempted to discuss what it would take to be a starter with coach Nick Sirianni after the Jacksonville Jaguars traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles. With Jalen Hurts starting for the Eagles, Siriani benched Minshew.
Since leaving Philadelphia, Minshew has gotten more chances to raise his reputation. He signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million deal to back up Richardson. Minshew led the Colts to a 22-19 overtime victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3 when Richardson was held out with a concussion.
Minshew took over as the full-time starter in Week 5 after Richardson suffered a season-ending AC joint sprain. He’s gone 6-5 as a starter and is vying for his first winning season as a starter and playoff appearance. Over The Cap appraised his performance this season worth a $20 million-a-year deal.
The Vikings could offer Minshew a short-term, affordable contract where he is given the opportunity to establish himself as a legitimate starter in one of the league’s best offenses if they are in a position to draft a first-round quarterback and give him a developmental year similar to what Kansas City gave Patrick Mahomes.
After being overlooked for his size and athleticism in college, Minshew has succeeded thanks to his processing speed and passing accuracy, two qualities that Kevin O’Connell highly values in his offense.
The Vikings could use Minshew’s leadership abilities as a strength and use him to coach a young quarterback prospect.
Vikings Should Explore QB Jaren Hall in Final 2 Games
The Vikings have gotten a taste of what life without Cousins would look like.
Josh Dobbs flashed the upside of having a mobile quarterback but also the importance of having accurate, processing in Kevin O’Connell‘s offense.
Although Mullens has demonstrated his ability to understand the offense and play effectively, his arm talent and confidence are not in sync, which causes him to make bad decisions when the ball is in his hands.
Hall might be the ideal combination of accuracy as a passer and processing speed to evade pressure. Hall shares Mullens’ physical limitations, but by acknowledging them, he may be able to adopt a more game manager role rather than the gunslinger mentality Mullens has demonstrated.
Hall might not be the Vikings’ best option in the long run, but he could provide an early taste of what the offense might look like with a game manager selected in the draft or through free agency.