He’s Back!

Through eight games, the Minnesota Vikings quarterback play ranged from modest to horrible. It’s been shocking to see as there are talented play-makers spread across the offense. The pitch-and-catch should never be a struggle with this offense. There’s simply too much talent to look so feeble. The worst of the shaky quarterback play was Monday night against the Buffalo Bills. With a 6-2 record, talented playmakers, and a special defense, the Vikings had to do something. The current quarterback play was going to keep an otherwise very talented team from contending. A possible solution was found in a player the team knows well. On NFL Trade Deadline Day, the Vikings acquired Kirk Cousins from the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Trade

Minnesota Vikings receive:

Kirk Cousins, QB

Las Vegas Raiders receive:

2027 3rd round pick

The disappointing play of the Vikings quarterbacks had triggered a lot of chatter among media and fans about the need to trade for another one. I wasn’t sold on such a move. It’s difficult to drop a player into a football team and expect that player to hit the ground running in a new scheme with new teammates. Some positions are a bit easier for a player to assimilate into a new team. Quarterback isn’t one of them. I didn’t believe a quarterback without previous experience in Kevin O’Connell’s offense had a chance at improving this struggling Vikings offense. The only quarterback that could potentially hit the ground running in Minnesota was Kirk Cousins. If the Vikings couldn’t acquire him, a trade for another wasn’t worth the gamble. Praying for improvement from Kyler Murray, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer felt, to me, a better option than forcing a new quarterback into a simplified offense. Cousins was the only option and the Vikings got it done. A third-round pick was a reasonable price for a quarterback that might save the season.

Many talking heads have talked incessantly that the Vikings only need average quarterback play to be contenders. Through the first six games, it looked like they might even be able to contend with below average quarterback play. That’s how special their defense can be. Consecutive frustrating losses to the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills showed that what they had wasn’t enough. Kirk Cousins was with the Vikings from 2018 to 2023. Through those six seasons, he consistently led a very productive offense. He was at his very best in 2023. He looked completely comfortable in Kevin O’Connell’s offense. That came to an end when Cousins tore his Achilles on the shitty Lambeau turf. The first game of his second stint as the Vikings quarterback might be on that same shitty Lambeau turf. The Vikings play the Packers on Sunday.

I didn’t like the idea of the Vikings adding a quarterback in the middle of the season. Perhaps what I hated the most was that the Vikings had to add a quarterback in the middle of the season. Watching Carson Wentz on Monday night flipped me to the other side of his quarterback quandary. The Vikings had to do something outside of what they already had at quarterback. Nothing was working. Because of his past Minnesota experience, Kirk Cousins was the only option for me. I’m glad, and relieved, that the Vikings could get the deal done. It was also for less than I had expected. I figured it might take a second-round pick or a third- and a Day 2 pick. Now, I’m getting excited about the possibilities. I’m seeing passes on time to a wide open Justin Jefferson. He’s always wide open. I’m seeing Jordan Addison stretching the field. I’m seeing T.J. Hockenson moving the chains. Most importantly, I’m seeing the Vikings offense as a reason for some of the wins. That fantastic defense shouldn’t have to do everything. And they should never again spend over 40 minutes of a game on the field. 

Welcome back Kirk Cousins.