The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly considering bringing in a former first-round pick at quarterback to replace pending free agent Kirk Cousins.
The four-time Pro Bowler finished out his contract with Minnesota and looks poised to enter the free agent market. If Cousins is indeed on his way out, the Vikings might apparently eye a former top-three selection to take over the offense.
According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, there are talks that Minnesota will consider signing quarterback Sam Darnold to serve as a short-term option:
“Atlanta still looks like Cousins’ next destination. Meanwhile, there’s whispering now that the Vikings are considering free agent Sam Darnold, 26, as a bridge QB to replace Cousins before April’s draft. If Cousins leaves, the next step for the Vikings will be determining if they can move up in the draft from No. 11 to take an elite quarterback.”
Darnold was drafted third overall by the New York Jets in 2018, but he was traded to the Carolina Panthers after three uninspiring seasons there. Darnold didn’t fare any better in Carolina, and he spent 2023 as Brock Purdy’s backup in San Francisco.
The 26-year-old Darnold saw 10 game appearances (mostly playing in garbage time), and completed 60.9 percent of pass attempts for 297 yards and two touchdowns and one touchdown. The 49ers went on to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
Darnold would make sense as a bridge option to Minnesota’s next starting QB if they decide to move on from Cousins. It doesn’t at all hurt to bring in a veteran and pair him with a young signal-caller if Minnesota ends up landing a prospect they like in April’s 2024 NFL Draft.
