The Vikings will enter the 2023 season with stability under center, but questions regarding the future beyond the coming campaign. The uncertainty surrounding starter Kirk Cousins has led to plenty of speculation that Minnesota will draft a quarterback this month to eventually succeed the veteran.
When speaking on the subject, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah declined to confirm one way or the other if he would be targeting a signal-caller at some point in the near future. He did say, however, that it would be “ideal” for the long-term Cousins replacement to be on the roster one year before taking over. That time could very well be the fall of 2024, since the Vikings restructured (rather than extended) Cousins’ contract last month.
As a result, a number of pundits have pointed to Minnesota as a destination for one of the second- or third-tier quarterbacks in this year’s class. The top four (Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis) are widely expected to be off the board by the time the Vikings turn in their top selection, No. 23. The next group of passers, led by Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker, could be a list of targets, however.
Connections have already been made between the former Volunteer and the Vikings, who could represent Hooker’s floor in terms of draft stock. The 25-year-old is recovering from a torn ACL, something which will limit his availability in his rookie campaign. His level of play before suffering the injury leaves him with notable upside, though, and landing in Minnesota could give him a relatively straight path to playing time in quick fashion.
“Ideally you would like to have that person in that role developing behind a great player like Kirk, but I don’t think you ever sacrifice it being the right player,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said, via Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper, when asked about drafting a quarterback. “Regardless of the when, where, why, how, you can’t sacrifice that. You have to have ultra belief and connection on making that decision because it is such an important decision.”
Adofo-Mensah confirmed that discussions within the organization are “ongoing” with respect to adding a passer. Other options will be available after round one, of course, but waiting to add a developmental option would add to the uncertainty concerning their depth chart at the position beginning next season. Cousins, 34, is on the books at a cap hit of $20.25M this season. Backup Nick Mullens is under contract for the next two years after re-signing last month. Whether the Vikings look to add to that group at the draft will be a storyline worth watching.
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