Vikings are front runners to Sign Breakout $2 Million Star to Multiyear Deal
The Minnesota Vikings offense had plenty of options, with quarterback Josh Dobbs becoming an overnight NFL sensation.
The team’s 2023 playoff prospects are one thing.
Because barring a major injury, Dobbs could lead the Vikings for the rest of the season. The short- and medium-term futures of the franchise are different, but Dobbs has the opportunity to be a part of those conversations.
Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report predicted on Saturday, November 18 that the Vikings will sign Dobbs to a two-year extension in the spring.
It’s easy to focus on Dobbs’ numbers this season.
He ranks 13th overall in QBR, has 11 touchdowns and five interceptions and has led the Vikings to two wins in his first two starts.
But when you look at his career today and what teams have historically paid players like him, his market becomes more realistic.
Jacoby Brissett played as a backup quarterback for the [Cleveland] Browns [in 2022] and signed a one-year contract worth $8.5 million.
That’s in line with the two-year, $18 million deal recently projected by Spotrac for Dobbs.
If that’s the price, the Vikings are willing to pay it.
Dobbs can remain competitive while working to develop his successor over the next two seasons.
Josh Dobbs could change Kirk Cousins’ Vikings career.
If the Vikings bring Dobbs back, they could move back and forth on the depth chart in a variety of ways.
Rookie Jaren Hall is under contract worth a total of $4.1 million through the 2026 season, making it easier for Minnesota to keep him as Dobbs’ backup and/or future successor.
There are also questions about six-year starter Kirk Cousins, who turns 36 next season. Cousins made it clear this week that he plans to return to the NFL in 2024, and not only does he want to play for the Vikings next year, but he also hopes to retire in Minnesota when the time comes.
“It’s always been that way since I’ve been here,” Cousins told KFAN on Friday.
“I understand there are a lot of options, but my desire is to be a Viking and retire and finish my career here.”
The problem is that Cousins will make a total of $35 million in 2023, and before suffering an Achilles injury on Oct.
29, he played well enough to earn a similar salary in 2024.
By comparison , Dobbs made just $2 million this season and is likely to fall behind. $10 million a year for his next venture.
But if Cousins and Dobbs can’t co-exist, the Pro Bowl veteran has other options.
With Dobbs hypothetically signing a two-year extension with the Vikings, Ballentine also hinted Saturday that Cousins could land with the Atlanta Falcons.
If Kirk Cousins hits the free agent market, there are many teams interested in him.
The Vikings have $28.5 million in cap space for next season.
Finding a cheaper alternative like the ones listed by Dobbs can save you from the Cousins era. If they take him, there are several teams that could use the veteran to make their offense viable.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano listed the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers as possibilities, respectively.
The Falcons make the most sense with Arthur Smith in his rookie year.
Cousins would be a huge upgrade after traveling alongside Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heineke.
