Report: Vikings’ QB Room Gets Much-Needed Reinforcements

Sep 30, 2022; Thundridge, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) throws the ball during practice at Hanbury Manor. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Leading into free agency, the Vikings were ultra-thin at QB. Only Kirk Cousins – who is insanly durable – was on the roster at the game’s most important position. Well, that’s going to change: the Vikings’ QB room is getting some much-needed help.

Per Field Yates, Minnesota is bringing Nick Mullens back. Take a look at the simple, declarative tweet:

The word from Yates doesn’t have much to offer in terms of details, but it’s encouraging nonetheless.

Mullens is nearing his 28th year on the planet and has played in the NFL since 2018. In that time, he has been with San Francisco, Cleveland, and, of course, Minnesota. It’s worth remembering that he was also on the Raiders’ roster last offseason. He even played against the Vikings during the preseason, giving Minnesota some great insight into what he can do.

A trade in late August brought the QB from Sin City to the State of Hockey.

Nov 6, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) run onto the field for warmup prior to their game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the offseason, one of the main mini-controversies has been the status of Kirk Cousins. I’ve consistently predicted that we’d see the man sign a new deal, one that tacks on a couple seasons beyond 2023. Indeed, my belief is still that Cousins’ purple career is closer to middle aged than it is senior status.

However, that prediction has been challenged recently. Just yesterday, Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf was political in his answer about his QB’s purple future, opting to simply highlight that #8 is going to be the top QB in 2023. In the end, I still think a new deal makes sense – especially if it lessens the cap hit this season – but I’ve been wrong before.

Sep 30, 2022; Thundridge, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks David Blough (2), Kirk Cousins (8) and Nick Mullens (12) during practice at Hanbury Manor. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Meanwhile, Nick Mullens will be helping the Vikings’ QB room for cheap. We don’t know the precise details yet, but it’s safe to say he won’t be anywhere close to the man in front of him on the depth chart. Last season, Mullens carried a $1.252 million cap hit.

Forced to guess, I’d say the new deal goes for a couple seasons and is worth a total of $5-$8 million overall. Mullens has 17 starts and 27 TD passes in his career.

Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.

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