Questions Answered: Old Vikings Unemployed, Brees-Cousins Comparison, Za’Darius Clarification
Dustin Baker
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The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the May 22nd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: I read the article about so many former Vikings unemployed. In your opinion, why is it so many, and will they eventually sign elsewhere?
A: The 2017 Vikings defense got old pretty quick. Several of the men were in their prime during that campaign, and as of this September, that fun year will be six seasons in the rearview.
Too, some of the men just really jelled in Mike Zimmer’s defense.
But on the whole, the 2017 alumni of the Vikings defense simply got old. Some of them will sign elsewhere — like Xavier Rhodes and perhaps Anthony Barr — and finish their careers beyond the 2021 season.
And here’s the list of former Vikings that are available:
- Mackensie Alexander (CB)
- Anthony Barr (LB)
- Everson Griffen (DE)
- Chris Herndon (TE)
- Linval Joseph (NT)
- Jerick McKinnon (RB)
- Latavius Murray (RB)
- Ifeadi Odenigbo (DE)
- Riley Reiff (OT)
- Mike Remmers (OL)
- Sheldon Richardson (DL)
- Kyle Rudolph (TE)
- Xavier Rhodes (CB)
- Shamar Stephen (DT)
- Trae Waynes (CB)
- Dede Westbrook (WR)
Q: On the Drew Brees and Kirk Cousins comparisons, is Cousins really “Brees without a ring?”
A: Not quite. The quote for Cousins should be “Drew Brees without the ample playoff experience.”
Cousins has played in three playoff games to date. By the end of Brees’ age-33 season, which is where Cousins is at now, he had played in nine playoff games.
But, yes, their regular season numbers are remarkably similar. Cousins would need about five straight seasons with playoff output to match Brees. Generally speaking, that’s a daunting task for anyone.
Q: Did Za’Darius Smith back out of the Ravens deal at the last minute because Von Miller got a fat contract in Buffalo?
A: No, Smith explained this week that he saw reports indicating he signed with the Ravens when he had not. It evidently rubbed him the wrong way.
If he wanted “Von Miller money,” he would’ve netted more guaranteed money from the Vikings or another team. Smith essentially has a “prove it” year on deck for 2022 to show he’s fully recovered from the back injury. Should Smith have a productive season, Minnesota will probably re-do his deal for 2023.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).