Kirk Cousins’ time with the Minnesota Vikings has largely been disappointing. They signed him after the 2017 season to assist push a crew that misplaced within the convention championship recreation to the Tremendous Bowl. The 2023 season is Cousins’ sixth with the Vikings. They’ve received just one playoff recreation in two appearances.

His total passing numbers have been good, however the Vikings have been a middle-of-the-pack crew since his arrival — apart from last-season’s rash of one-score victories. This season appeared headed for a typical Vikings’ end through which their document hovers round .500, however Cousins’ will doubtless not take the sphere once more in 2023, following a 24-10 win towards the Inexperienced Bay Packers.

He suffered a dreaded non-contact damage to his Achilles. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Sunday that Cousins’ Achilles damage is believed to be a rupture. He’ll bear an MRI on Monday to substantiate the extent of the damage. The one begins that Cousins has ever missed have been as a consequence of COVID in 2021, and he was rested the ultimate recreation of the 2019 season.

The Vikings’ Week 8 victory strikes their document to 4-4 on the season, and they’re presently holding onto the final playoff spot within the NFC. Their backup is 25-year-old rookie Jaren Corridor, a fifth-round choose within the 2023 NFL Draft.

With the Tuesday commerce deadline quick approaching, the Vikings now haven’t any simple solutions on methods to strategy it. All through this season, NFL analysts have steered {that a} commerce ought to be labored out for Cousins. He has a no-trade clause in his expiring contract, however the correct scenario ought to have been in a position to persuade him to waive it. The New York Jets would have been an awesome spot. He could be a one-year rental in the event that they count on to begin Aaron Rodgers in 2024.

A commerce for Cousins would have price the Jets a variety of belongings for lower than a full-season of labor, however by including Cousins to their proficient roster as a substitute of trotting out Zach Wilson, they may have contended for a Tremendous Bowl. That transfer is now out of the query, if the Vikings have been even critically contemplating it. Additionally, as a deadline transfer, it could not have made the Vikings dangerous sufficient for one of many high QBs within the 2024 NFL Draft.

They’re .500, with a remaining schedule that isn’t that tough. Their subsequent two video games are on the street towards the Atlanta Falcons, and at house towards the New Orleans Saints. Each groups have proven expertise this season, however little consistency and been compelled to work round lower than best performances at beginning quarterback.

The Vikings may cut up these two, and go away them with the Cincinnati Bengals and two matchups towards the Detroit Lions as the one video games towards playoff-caliber groups left on the schedule. They might not lose sufficient video games to have the ability to draft one of many high quarterback prospects within the 2024 NFL Draft.

In the event that they select to not signal Cousins to even a brief extension within the spring, they are going to be at risk of two misplaced seasons. Two seasons effectively below .500, and no likelihood at really refreshing the quarterback place till 2025 — a a lot worse projected quarterback class.

Accidents are at all times unlucky and unpredictable, however the Vikings might have chalked up two seasons as a loss lengthy earlier than Cousins went down at Lambeau Subject. By not engaged on a deal to commerce Cousins’ expiring contract they left the crew too aggressive for half of the season. Now their best choice is perhaps one other two years of Cousins at $30-plus million per, and see if they’ll lastly construct a roster round him that may be the most effective within the league with out a historic success in one-score video games.