QB option nobody is talking about...

[pattersaur]

KOCs O is often the problem with the O not getting it done,  we've all talked to length about the lack of shorter routes and a run game to counter an aggressive pass rush.   Rogers and Cousins wont change that,  as they wont survive the beating they will get.  With each passing year,  and our OL cast offs playing better in other systems convince me that whoever it is having to hold the ball is going to take a lot of hits unless the O changes,   young guys at least provide a mobile aspect to the position that those 3 dont.   That will do more for his O than guys in their mid to late 30s and 40s.  Carr sitting out a year and no experience in the O would be an interesting back up,  but I wouldn't expect him to do much either.

Unless they are giving up on JJM and the dream of a serious run with a rookie deal,  then they need to stay with the plan,  even if it means another struggling year,  but weve been down this road so many time where the organization bails on their plan its getting sickening.  It’s no damn wonder they have struggled for so long.

I wouldn’t expect Carr to ball out either but you’d hope he can be steady, which is why he’s perfect for the role of backup QB… if KO still believes in JJM.

If the team is “done” with McCarthy, Stroud might be the best option we can hope for if the other choices are Murray or Tua. I’m not his biggest fan in the world but I can picture Stroud working out well here. And I do think a lot of Texan fans are extremely leery about Stroud so a trade could maybe happen.

[purplefaithful]

For me, the elephant in the room is what does KOC think about JJM starting out of the gate? Whats his ceiling? Can he play 16 games?

Last year I assumed he was 100% behind the kid starting....Now I'm not convinced that wAs the case.

We "MAY" find the answer in his coach speak after they sign a QB2 or if its a big asz trade of some kind lol!

[medaille]

I think it’s got to be something high like 85% JJM is starting week 1. 5% chance they do a blockbuster trade. 10% chance they attempt to turn another teams trash into a starting QB.

I just don’t think it really makes that much sense to waste JJM’s development to try and glean a SB out of Kirk Cousins or Carr. I think they’d be a safety net if it just isn’t working.
I don’t think a blockbuster QB will be available and while Stroud might appear to be weak at this point, teams almost never let pretty good QBs go. They almost always commit to them and waste another 5 years in the process.

Like what would be the reasons to not start a healthy JJM? You liked him up until he got to start. He hasn’t really gotten more than those first handful of starts where everyone sucks. You have to assume he’s working his ass off to fix those mechanics, because that’s who he is.

[MaroonBells]

I think it’s got to be something high like 85% JJM is starting week 1.  5% chance they do a blockbuster trade.  10% chance they attempt to turn another teams trash into a starting QB.

I just don’t think it really makes that much sense to waste JJM’s development to try and glean a SB out of Kirk Cousins or Carr.  I think they’d be a safety net if it just isn’t working.
I don’t think a blockbuster QB will be available and while Stroud might appear to be weak at this point, teams almost never let pretty good QBs go.  They almost always commit to them and waste another 5 years in the process.

Like what would be the reasons to not start a healthy JJM?  You liked him up until he got to start.  He hasn’t really gotten more than those first handful of starts where everyone sucks.  You have to assume he’s working his ass off to fix those mechanics, because that’s who he is.

Only one: he's not ready yet. I believe he has a future; I don't think he's a bust. But look, he's still REALLY young, and you see that youth in his body language. Bo Nix was 24 and 195 days when he started his first game. JJ won't turn 24 and 195 days until August 2027. I give him every opportunity to show growth and maturity and win the starting job. But if I'm KOC, I know more of the same from young JJ could mean his teammates lose patience and I lose my job, so I'm probably going to make absolutely certain that the QB I bring in to compete with him is fully capable of running this offense and winning games.

[Vanguard83]

Gotta give JJM some competition, but I'd give Wentz a full offseason, & take a run at Davis Mills personally.

One of those three needs to step up

[JimmyinSD]

Man I couldn't disagree more. This is not a rebuilding team and there's too much at stake. You have one of the best defenses in the NFL. You have one of the best WR rooms in the NFL. You have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL (when healthy). And you're OK wasting another year of Justin Jefferson and Brian Flores for some silly "stick to the plan" nonsense? We should all be grateful that Justin Jefferson is a good dude. But how long do we try his patience? 

There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that the Vikings, who missed the playoffs by a half game, would've coasted into the playoffs with just average QB play. Andy Freaking Dalton would've taken this team to the playoffs. Sure, stick to the plan; keep developing JJ. But they have to have a much better failsafe this year.

If the goal is to simply make the playoffs then yes we can likely limp in on a retread,  but if the goal is a superbowl,  then build a team around a young guy that gives us that chance for more than a year,  and the financial means to improve the team around him.  I dont buy rogers or Cousins wanting to end their career playing coach,  but JJ isn't going to get better at this point on the pine.

[Norse]

I really don’t know what KOC will do. But we need a better QB room than we had last year.
I also got the impression that the receivers wasn’t real thrilled with some of JJM throws last year.

[medaille]

Only one: he's not ready yet. I believe he has a future; I don't think he's a bust. But look, he's still REALLY young, and you see that youth in his body language. Bo Nix was 24 and 195 days when he started his first game. JJ won't turn 24 and 195 days until August 2027. I give him every opportunity to show growth and maturity and win the starting job. But if I'm KOC, I know more of the same from young JJ could mean his teammates lose patience and I lose my job, so I'm probably going to make absolutely certain that the QB I bring in to compete with him is fully capable of running this offense and winning games.

While I don't disagree that he wasn't ready year one, almost none of them are.  That's just part of the growing pains you have as you develop a rookie QB.  I don't think there's any real evidence that he's behind schedule for becoming a high quality starter.

I totally agree that the team mates could lose patience and KOC could lose his job if the offense doesn't work.  I just don't think that risk is limited to JJM starting.  You bring in a mid ass QB and get mid ass results probably also gets you fired.

[MaroonBells]

While I don't disagree that he wasn't ready year one, almost none of them are.  That's just part of the growing pains you have as you develop a rookie QB.  I don't think there's any real evidence that he's behind schedule for becoming a high quality starter.

I totally agree that the team mates could lose patience and KOC could lose his job if the offense doesn't work.  I just don't think that risk is limited to JJM starting.  You bring in a mid ass QB and get mid ass results probably also gets you fired.

I'm not sure of the counterpoint here and in some posts I've read from some others. What point are you arguing? That the Vikings should not bring in a QB at all? Just give the job to JJ and hope for the best? Or bring in a guy but make sure he's not so good he beats out JJ, but also not so "mid ass" he doesn't make a difference?

[medaille]

I'm not sure of the counterpoint here and in some posts I've read from some others. What point are you arguing? That the Vikings should not bring in a QB at all? Just give the job to JJ and hope for the best? Or bring in a guy but make sure he's not so good he beats out JJ, but also not so "mid ass" he doesn't make a difference?

Main Point:
My point is that people shouldn’t overreact to JJM being bad last year and Darnold winning a SB and latch onto the idea that a failed QB reclamation project is the only hope for saving KOC’s career here, because bringing in Kyler Murray isn’t saving KOC’s career.


Bonus Thoughts:
What I’m most against is bringing in a guy, like Cousins, who’s probably the definition of upperMid QB that probably caps your season potential at one playoff win unless everything is perfect, and giving him the starting role out the gate.  Like if he needs to go to a place where he’s the unquestionable starter, choose a different option.

Whatever option we choose is probably not going to be great.  When you don’t have a QB you trust, your options aren’t great, until you find that guy.  I think you have to make your decision of who to be QB, based on long term likelihood of becoming a SB winning QB balanced with the guy that gives you the best shot of winning a SB this year, and in general I trust that the guy with only 10 starts under his belt has a higher probability of taking us to a SB in the next couple years than the guy who has failed to take any team to the SB in his 10+ year long career.  Bring in the best QB you can get your hands on, just don’t let them dictate what the plans are out of fear.

What would my ideal but realistic plan be?  Probably, something like bringing in Cousins or Carr or Willis as a backup who can compete.  Let them have a camp competition.  If the veteran looks dramatically better, roll with them.  If they look slightly better than or even with JJM, roll with JJM for at least the first 6-8 games and then reanalyze the situation after seeing what he looks like.  I’m not really supportive of sending dramatic draft capital for a non-elite option.