Former Pro Bowl QB named 'wild card' trade candidate to replace Kirk Cousins
In the wake of Kirk Cousins' season-ending Achilles injury, the Minnesota Vikings find themselves short on time to fill their sudden void under center. With the NFL trade deadline Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, the typical slew of veteran trade candidates — such as Jameis Winston and Ryan Tannehill — have been floated as potential replacements for Cousins.
Another name to keep tabs on is Carolina Panthers backup quarterback Andy Dalton. Named a "wild card" to be dealt at the deadline by Joseph Person of The Athletic, the three-time Pro Bowler has a robust resume as a starting quarterback in the NFL and ties to the current coaching staff in Minnesota.
"Dalton, 36, is well versed in numerous systems, and Thomas Brown, the Panthers’ offensive coordinator, comes from the McVay tree and worked with (Kevin) O’Connell in Los Angeles," wrote Alec Lewis of The Athletic, who listed Dalton on a short-list of Cousins replacements.
Dalton's 38,511 passing yards since 2011 rank 10th in the NFL. Thrust into action earlier this season, Dalton completed 58.6% of his passes for two touchdowns and zero interceptions in place of an injured Bryce Young.
Carolina willingly parting ways with a proven backup such as Dalton would seem counterproductive to Young's development as a franchise quarterback. Plus, given Young's slender frame (listed at 5-foot-10, 204 pounds), it's probably best to have a viable option slotted in as the QB2 in Carolina.
Nevertheless, the Panthers are one of just two one-win teams in the NFL and are squarely in the midst of a rebuild. If a quarterback-needy team such as the Vikings comes calling, the potential of adding future draft capital could outweigh their commitment to Dalton.
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