Since taking up because the Vikings’ GM, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has made it his private mission to destroy false dichotomies. Or, on the very least, he has articulated his disdain for them as he pushes his squad via an deliberately murky aggressive rebuild.

One wonders, then, what the younger government thinks of the broader dialogue surrounding what the Vikings ought to do at quarterback in a number of months.

Our divided world has given technique to at the very least two massive factions inside Vikings fandom. The professional-draft crowd thinks that sinking a excessive choice right into a QB is smart because it’ll give Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell their younger franchise quarterback to construct round (whereas liberating loads of cap room to accommodate the opposite stars). On the opposite aspect is a bunch that has been impressed by Cousins’ ongoing dedication to enhancing his craft after which his ever-increasing clutch issue. Had there been no damage, Cousins was careening towards an All Professional nod and possibly even a deep playoff run following the 2023 season.

The Vikings Ought to Take into account All Choices at QB (Together with the Third Manner)

Admittedly, issues might get crowded fast.

The Vikings genuinely do assume extremely of each Nick Mullens and Jaren Corridor. The veteran has a ton of confidence on the sphere and the arm expertise to get the ball to his playmakers. He prepares nicely and is popular with his teammates. Put in a different way, he’s the right backup.

In the meantime, Corridor has been spectacular, too. Certain, his skill to run the soccer is thrilling and he has some first rate zip on his ball, however it’s what’s between his ears that’s most spectacular. The rookie QB is sensible, a obligatory attribute for a Kevin O’Connell quarterback. Plus, he comes throughout as being even-keeled and mature. Taking part in QB within the NFL isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, so Corridor appears well-suited for the duty.

Bringing Cousins again into the combination would immediately give the Vikings a full QB room that has a clearly-defined hierarchy (and that’s not even accounting for Joshua Dobbs, who appears most unlikely to return to Minnesota).

The purpose, after all, is just that tossing a 1st- or 2nd-round QB into the combination wouldn’t be with out some problems.

In that state of affairs, the QB place would swell to 4 gamers and there wouldn’t essentially be a straightforward repair. Slicing Mullens or Corridor could be a risk however each are sturdy gamers whom the group needs to maintain round. A commerce might happen however the draw back is just that the Vikings could be saying goodbye to somebody they assume extremely of. These downsides will have to be factored into the equation when going into free company and the NFL draft.

The upside, although, is that retaining Cousins and buying a highly-regarded rookie would permit the Vikings to proceed travelling inside their binary-defying philosophy.

Within the brief time period, Cousins could be in command of retaining issues aggressive. The ultra-brainy and constant Cousins has confirmed to be a pleasant match with O’Connell. The veteran’s smarts and accuracy go hand-in-glove with what O’Connell needs out of the sport’s most vital place. Sure, there may be the Achilles damage to fret about, however the restoration appears to be going nicely and loads of folks have come again from the damage to do have nice careers (as Cousins understands).

The upside rookie — J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix, Bo Nix, another person? — might marinate on the bench whereas working inside a QB room that’s loaded with brainy expertise and whereas beneath the tutelage of a head coach who performed the place within the NFL. In two or three years, the teen might take the reins with great on-the-job coaching in tow.

Going into 2024, the Vikings ought to be very hesitant to jettison Cousins. The offense is loaded with ability and the protection (with the correct teaching) is able to enjoying at a excessive stage. The surest technique to sink that sort of roster is to insert subpar QB play. In different phrases, don’t be too fast to maneuver on from somebody who has confirmed to be able to top-10 play at quarterback.

And but there must also be some reluctance to utterly overlook a draft class that has some spectacular expertise at QB. Being a profitable NFL group on a yearly foundation — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s aim — is supremely troublesome if there isn’t constant excellence at quarterback. Snagging a younger fella and rallying round him for years is the easiest way of doing so.

Smash these two ideas collectively and one wonders if we’ll see the GM as soon as once more show that he received’t be sure by the false dichotomies that typically cling onto NFL choice makers. Choosing a QB excessive within the draft whereas additionally re-signing Kirk Cousins is the third approach possibility that isn’t unlikely for the Minnesota Vikings.

Ok. Joudry is the Senior Editor for Vikings Territory and PurplePTSD. He has been overlaying the Vikings full time because the summer season of 2021. He may be discovered on Twitter and as a co-host for Notes from the North, a humble Vikings podcast.