Proposed Vikings Trade Lands Former 1st-Round Pick, Kirk Cousins’ Successor
The Minnesota Vikings need to begin considering their quarterbacking situation going forward.
The season’s setbacks served as a perfect example of how unpredictable things are outside of Kirk Cousins, who is expected to become a free agency this offseason. Despite the fact that Cousins and the organization are both interested in having him return for the upcoming season, he will be 36 years old and recovering from an Achilles tear.
Following a season-ending 30-20 loss to the Detroit Lions, Minnesota will choose 11th overall in the April selection.
However, the Vikings could be more prepared to tackle a reclamation project than to hope that they will select one of the quarterbacks in the 2024 draft class. Additionally, Mac Jones, the quarterback for the New England Patriots, would undoubtedly meet the requirements of a potential trade offer.
“This winter, will the Patriots find a trade partner for Mac Jones?”In a piece published on December 27, Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac made predictions about the “quarterback resolutions for 2024” of each club. “Will they buy him out for the $2.78 million that he is completely guaranteed? Or will they allow him to continue competing when necessary? The minimum pay for the current quarterback, Bailey Zappe, is set at $985,000 for the next season.
Jones just concluded the third year of a four-year, $15.6 million rookie contract.
Mac Jones Could Regain Rookie Form With Trade to Vikings.
As a rookie in 2021, Jones completed 67.6% of his throws for 3,800 yards and 22 touchdowns. He will only be 26 years old by the time the 2024 season gets underway. The Patriots’ record that season was 10-7. Since then, though, they have not been able to get more out of Jones; his interception percentage has risen to a career-high 3.5% this season, and his stats have declined each season.
During an appearance on “The Greg Hill Show” in December, former Patriots safety Devin McCourty stated that head coach Bill Belichick had not done enough to develop Jones, either personally or with a suitable supporting cast. Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson at wide receiver mean that the Vikings wouldn’t have a problem with a subpar supporting group.
Include a nutritiousJones and T.J. Hockenson would have three potent choices to choose from.
The Patriots, who will choose third overall in the draft, may position themselves to select one of the best quarterbacks available and forge a new direction.
Ginnitti projected that Jones would be traded by the Patriots for a seventh-round selection to the 49ers in San Francisco. The Vikings might be able to outbid any other possible suitors for Jones on the trade market since they have several selections in the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds.
Vikings QB Room in Flux.
Ginnitti also predicted the Vikings would lock up Cousins with an extension for another $80 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons
Nick Mullens is still under contract, and Ginnitti predicted he would return as the top backup. But the Vikings can get out of that with only $375,000 in dead cap space this offseason, per Spotrac.
There is also fifth-round rookie Jaren Hall, whom head coach Kevin O’Connell appears to still believe in.
None of them – or Joshua Dobbs if he is brought back – should close the door on adding Jones, the No. 15 overall pick from just three draft cycles ago. Especially if the cost is not prohibitive, just as Ginnitti expects.
Jones can learn the offense behind Cousins if the latter indeed returns. And, if not, perhaps O’Connell can get Jones back to — and build off of — his encouraging rookie season.
