What Are the Vikings’ Next Strategic Moves Following Kirk Cousins’ Departure?
Locker Room Silence in Minnesota Vikings Following Cousin’s Injury
Green Bay, Wisconsin – The Minnesota Vikings’ postgame locker room at Lambeau Field would have been silent on Sunday afternoon if not for their customary boom box blasting out joyous music.
The team defeated the Green Bay Packers 24–10, but players were whispering to each other. Closely assembled reporters listened to their moving remarks.
In the end, head coach Kevin O’Connell stated that Kirk Cousins’ right Achilles ailment is probably something “they know.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was breaking the news that Cousins had suffered a torn Achilles tendon, which, if confirmed by the team, will terminate his season, even as O’Connell was speaking from a podium.
It was up to the Vikings coaches and players to sort out the moment’s layered significance.
But there is more than Cousins’ immediate condition to consider, most notably its impact on the Vikings’
competitiveness for the rest of the season after evening their record at 4-4.
Will they stick with fifth-rounder Jaren Hall, who finished Sunday’s game, try to acquire a quarterback before
Tuesday’s trade deadline or perhaps sign an available veteran such as Matt Ryan? Has Cousins played his final
game with the Vikings?
Let’s dive into the issues, one by one, on a day that will be among the most impactful in recent Vikings
history.
What’s the timetable for recovery for Cousins’ injury?
Presuming a full tear, Cousins would miss the remainder of this season. Every injury is different, and Cousins
will turn 36 next summer. But based on a standard Achilles tear timetable, Cousins has a chance to be ready for
the start of the 2024 season. — Kevin Seifert
Is Minnesota committed to Hall as the starter going forward?
No. The Vikings might not have a choice about starting Hall in their Week 9 game at the Atlanta Falcons, but
O’Connell stopped short of fully committing to him in the moments after Sunday’s game.
“I think in my mind we’ve got to take a look at potentially all the options,” O’Connell said, “including building
the best possible group around Jaren.”
O’Connell noted that veteran backup Nick Mullens is eligible to be activated as early as Week 10 from injured
reserve, where he has been since Oct. 11 because of a back injury. Veteran Sean Mannion, who started both of the
games Cousins has missed in his tenure with the Vikings, is on the practice squad.
“[Mullens] is progressing along,” O’Connell said. “That’s why I don’t want to commit one way or the other.” —
Seifert
What qualities makes Hall the finest, and what can we anticipate from him?
Hall reads progressions with a great deal of patience in the pocket and always seems to be at ease and in control when he scans defensive coverages. His deep touch down the field made him an enticing prospect in the run-up to the 2023 draft. Hall compliments his slightly above-average arm with good ball placement to the defense’s third level.
Hall is capable of leading the attack if he assumes command. TE T.J. Hockenson, WR Jordan Addison, and WR Justin Jefferson (injury) are all dynamic pass catchers for the Vikings. Keeping the offense on track and minimizing mistakes will therefore be crucial, particularly because he isn’t a particularly exceptional runner. — Reid Jordan
If it’s Hall, who is going to back him up?
All we can say at this point is that Hall finished Sunday’s game. O’Connell did not commit to anything beyond
that, including whether Hall was certain to be the starter in Week 9.
One way or the other, the Vikings will have to add a third quarterback to ensure they can have normal practices.
But the real question is whether the Vikings would sign someone — or acquire someone before Tuesday’s trade
deadline — who would be an upgrade.
The Vikings, after all, are in the thick of the NFC wild-card playoff race and would be only one game out of the
NFC North lead if the Detroit Lions were to lose Monday night to the Las Vegas Raiders. — Seifert
Which QBs might the Vikings consider picking up?
If the Vikings want to add a veteran to either start or back up Hall, they will have several free agent or trade
options to evaluate — yet no clear-cut answers. Let’s start with free agents.
Carson Wentz has been working out in hopes of an opportunity, but his free-agency profile hasn’t heightened. Joe
Flacco is a Super Bowl winner who played reasonably well in his last NFL stint, but he also hasn’t been a steady
starter since 2019. Matt Ryan looks comfortable with television. If we’re talking fits, Colt McCoy makes sense.
He spent three years with O’Connell in Washington and they had a good rapport. Could be worth a call.
The Vikings’ attitude in the trade market will be interesting since, while being engaged in a competitive rebuild, they aren’t exactly looking to acquire. However, they also don’t seem like a good option to exchange players. Minnesota can definitely contend for the division title and the playoffs with their current 4-4 record. The Vikings might be prepared to give up one of their several fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2024 in exchange for a bridge quarterback.
