The Vikings have begun their search for a new quarterback, six years after signing their last one. And no, they still haven't had a true franchise quarterback since Fran Tarkenton.
A year ago, we felt the Vikings were going to get another year out with Kirk Cousins, with the goal of drafting a player in 2024 who could be the team's long-term answer at the position. That atmosphere has changed since Cousins appeared to be playing better than ever during his second season under head coach and offensive play-caller Kevin O'Connell.
Coach O'Connell wanted him back despite the ruptured Achilles tendon. The Vikings had no intention of doing what the Falcons did with a four-year, $180 million contract that included a $50 million signing bonus and all guarantees at the time of signing.
So now I'm back to square one. The problem is that they did too well last year to be among the top contenders. He would have to trade to get up there, especially with a team near No. 11 that might also want the quarterback.
No team can be a consistent contender without a good quarterback. Cousins was good, but the Vikings made the playoffs only twice in his six seasons with the team. By comparison, the Chiefs have been to the AFC Championship every year and the Super Bowl four times.
Yes, the goal was/is/should be to get a long-term answer. Cousins became the first Vikings quarterback since Tarkenton to start at least eight games in six consecutive seasons. And considering Tarkenton was traded to the Giants in 1967 and then traded back to the Vikings in 1972, he only managed to do it seven straight years.
Since Tarkenton, Tommy Kramer, Steve Dills, Wade Wilson, Archie Manning, Tony Adams (during the 1987 strike), Rich Gannon, Jim McMahon, Sean Salisbury, Warren Moon, Brad Johnson, Randall Cunningham, Jeff George, Dante Culpepper, Todd Bowman, Spergon Wynn, Gus Frerotte, Tavaris Jackson, Kelly Holcomb, Brooks Bollinger, Brett Favre, Joe Webb, Christian Ponder, Donovan – McNabb, Matt Cassel, Josh Freeman, Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, Sean Hill, Case Keenum.
During Cousins' time with the team, Sean Mannion, Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jalen Hall started.
The franchise's only first-round quarterbacks were Tommy Kramer in 1977, Dante Culpepper in 2000, Christian Ponder in 2011, and Teddy Bridgewater in 2012.
So who will be next? The real question is when will he be the next starter for six consecutive years like Cousins. Or maybe seven like Tarkenton. Or it could be the first time in team history that there will be more than eight players.
