Surprise possible Kirk Cousins replacement emerges after Cardinals QB change
With Kirk Cousins in the final year of his contract, the Minnesota Vikings had long been considered a potential trade deadline seller
should a quarterback-needy team come calling. However, a three-game win streak marred by a season-ending Achilles injury to
Cousins has flipped the script on Minnesota.
Kirk Cousins underwent an MRI this morning at Twin Cities Orthopedics that confirmed an Achilles tendon tear.
The timeline and details of his upcoming surgery will be determined this week. The team will continue to provide
updates. pic.twitter.com/8rXFyGtCZV
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) October 30, 2023
At 4-4 on the year and in the thick of the playoff race, the Vikings need an upgrade under center — and quickly. With Tuesday’s
deadline looming, expect Minnesota to forage the quarterback trade market.
Veteran signal-callers Jameis Winston and Ryan Tannehill are two names that have been posed as possible replacements for Cousins.
Yet, a surprise decision made by the Arizona Cardinals may have just opened the door for another option.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon informed reporters on Monday that the team will be benching starting quarterback Josh
Dobbs. Rookie Clayton Tune is expected to man the position until Kyler Murray is healthy enough to retake the reins.
#Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon said he decided Josh Dobbs is no longer the starter after watching the film.
Gannon said after the game that Dobbs would stick as the starter, but plans have now changed.
At 4-4 on the year and in the thick of the playoff race, the Vikings need an upgrade under center — and quickly. With Tuesday’s
deadline looming, expect Minnesota to forage the quarterback trade market.
Veteran signal-callers Jameis Winston and Ryan Tannehill are two names that have been posed as possible replacements for Cousins.
Yet, a surprise decision made by the Arizona Cardinals may have just opened the door for another option.
Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon informed reporters on Monday that the team will be benching starting quarterback Josh
Dobbs. Rookie Clayton Tune is expected to man the position until Kyler Murray is healthy enough to retake the reins.
#Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon said he decided Josh Dobbs is no longer the starter after watching the film.
Gannon said after the game that Dobbs would stick as the starter, but plans have now changed.
Losers of five consecutive games, Arizona is one of just two teams with fewer than two wins this season. Despite the team’s struggles,
Dobbs has been relatively serviceable. Thrust into the QB1 role mere weeks after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns, Dobbs
has thrown for 1,569 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions over his eight starts.
While Arizona struggled to collect wins with Dobbs at the helm, the 28-year-old quarterback kept them relatively competitive. Three of
the Cardinals’ seven losses this season have been by one score or fewer.
Should Minnesota opt not to re-sign Cousins this offseason, chances are Dobbs isn’t their long-term replacement. However, he’s
proven viable as a spot starter and capable of picking up an offensive system on the fly.
Rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall will likely draw the start under center in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Expect his leash to be
short should Minnesota strike a trade for another quarterback.
After that Falcons game, the Vikings don’t play a team currently above .500 until Week 15. Despite Cousins’ injury, Minnesota’s playoff
hopes remain very much alive. Dobbs’ ability to manage an offense is exactly what the Vikings need to punch their ticket to the postseason.
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