The Minnesota Vikings seem to be looking into free agency for their next quarterback and their losses could be the NFL’s gain.
As reports continue to come out that the Vikings will be in heavy pursuit of Kirk Cousins, there are now reports that neither incumbent starter Case Keenum, or either previous starters in Sam Bradford and now, apparently Teddy Bridgewater:
Report: Teddy Bridgewater expected to be a free agent https://t.co/Khcavc4jzd
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 27, 2018
The Vikings were the team, from January, that I was told was the top on Cousins list, because they are close to winning. Now it appears the interest is mutual.
Rumblings growing louder that Vikings will be "players" for Kirk Cousins https://t.co/JDZAtPb7cZ
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 27, 2018
Kirk Cousins and #Vikings: @RapSheet: “They are going to pursue Cousins hard” @MikeGarafolo: “Vikings are going to make a strong push for Cousins, you can absolutely bet"@Gil_Brandt: "If I were a betting man, I'd say that's where he lands. Certainly interest on both sides"
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) February 27, 2018
This makes things really open for the quarterback market and more over, helps the Arizona Cardinals.
The worst case scenario was always the Vikings keeping Bridgewater, signing Cousins and taking two options off the market, leaving the Browns, Giants, Broncos, and Jets needing quarterbacks before the Cardinals.
Now, with all three options in play, the Cardinals can be smart, let things play out and may be able to make a play for the quarterback they want in free agency and still grab one in the 2018 NFL Draft.
If you’re asking me to rank the Vikings quarterbacks it’s:
- Bridgewater
- Bradford
- Keenum
Simply because Keenum seems like the heaviest investment, while Bridgewater and Bradford are low risk investments that allow you to still draft a QB early if the one you want falls.
Now, if no one is at 15 or 47, then you already have a veteran in Teddy and Sam. Bring back Drew Stanton or bring in another known veteran and you have a nice room for 2018. It buys you a year on a young QB if you don’t get the one you want.
The Vikings seem to feel like they have a great shot at Cousins, or they don’t believe in any of the three quarterbacks they had.
Either way, this helps the Cardinals.