3 Vikings Rumors: Roster Needs, Kirk Cousins Off the Table, and WR to Trade
As January marches on, the Vikings rumors are picking up.
The Vikings’ coaching staff received a significant boost in the commitment from Brian Flores to return (unless a head coach opening materializes for him). Note some of the other tidbits of speculation surrounding the Vikings’ offseason. Much remains to be determined.
3 Vikings Rumors
Rumor No. 1 — The Roster Needs Secondary Help Above All
No doubt, losing Harrison Smith would create a need for the Vikings. Is it accurate, though, to insist that the secondary has needs above all?
On PFF, there’s a piece insisting that the top trio of needs are running back, center, and then defensive backs generally. Consider the main thought, one that hovers around losing Smith: “His potential departure would leave a significant void in Brian Flores’ aggressive defensive system, which blitzed at a league-high rate (52.5%). Over the past three seasons under Flores, Smith ranked in the 92nd percentile in passer rating allowed when targeted (83.7), making the search for a high-IQ replacement safety a key offseason priority.”
With respect to PFF, the assessment is incorrect. All of Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward remain under contract at safety. The corners do need help (Trevon Diggs?), but last year’s CB1 Byron Murphy Jr. and CB2 Isaiah Rodgers are coming back, as well.
Grafting a high-end defensive back into the mix would be nice, but the roster has greater needs elsewhere. In particular, there’s the great mystery at quarterback. Only J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer are under contract. But, in fairness, the focus of the article is the draft, so maybe the pair of youngsters eliminates the draft from PFF’s thinking.
Shrinking things down to just the defense would mean uplifting the linebacker spot. Blake Cashman, who turns 30 in May, is a strong player but not elite. He’s moving into the final year of his contract. Eric Wilson is going to be a free agent and Ivan Pace Jr. a restricted free agent. Young ‘backers Kobe King and Austin Keys were shown the door during the season.
Above all else, the top need is at off-ball linebacker.
Rumor No. 2 — Kirk Cousins Staying in Atlanta
Kirk Cousins is a good veteran passer who does essentially everything well from an off-the-field perspective. He’s not elite on the field but does offer a sturdy floor. Is he worth keeping around?
An anonymous NFL executive believes so. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN offered the word.
After commenting on the uncertainty around the Michael Penix Jr. injury recovery, the executive shares the perspective that Cousins sticks around in Atlanta: “‘They are going to need somebody early in the season due to the injury, and Cousins played OK for them late last year. It seems Cousins has always respected Kevin. Both sides have a decent option in their back pockets.'”
Connecting the dots on Kirk Cousins alongside Kevin Stefanski makes sense. Nevertheless, I remain of the opinion that the Falcons finally acknowledge the error, pivoting off of the well-paid Cousins to move into a new era.
If so, then Cousins becomes an option for the Vikings to consider, as Fowler suggests later on.
Rumor No. 3 — A WR Trade with the Bills Makes Some Sense
Pretty soon, Jordan Addison is going to run out of chances. His latest headline-grabbing error was resolved, simplifying things for the Vikings. Is there nevertheless a desire to recoup value for the talented receiver?
Over in Buffalo, some truly odd comments emerged from team ownership relating to a recently-picked receiver who hasn’t lived up to expectations.
In Keon Coleman, the Vikings would be acquiring a 22-year-old receiver who comes in at an imposing 6’4″ and 215 pounds. Working alongside Josh Allen — a stud — involved picking up just 38 receptions for 404 yards and 4 touchdowns. As the No. 33 selection from the 2024 NFL Draft, Coleman leaves something to be desired. Might a change of scenery help?
A one-for-one swap makes very little sense for the Vikings. Moving Addison out, though, for Coleman alongside a draft pick could be worth exploring. Buffalo would instantly land a WR1 while the Vikings rally around Coleman and a draft pick.
