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By the end of the 2015, the Minnesota Vikings felt they had their franchise quarterback in place with Teddy Bridgewater.
But a severe knee injury sent the team into panic mode prior to the 2016 season. Normally losing a franchise QB is a death sentence, but the Vikings managed to go 21-11 under Sam Bradford and Case Keenum. The two QBs combined for 55 touchdowns and 13 interceptions between ’16 and ’17.
Now all three are free agents and there’s a chance that Bridgewater, Keenum and Bradford could all be wearing different uniforms next season.
The Vikings might prefer to bring one of them back, but there are questions about all three. Both Bridgewater and Bradford have concerns over their health and Keenum may be seen as a one-hit wonder.
If the Vikings don’t plan on signing Bridgewater, Bradford or Keenum, the next best option is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith.
Last year, the Chiefs traded up in the draft to select Patrick Mahomes, who they will likely start in 2018. That leaves the 34-year-old veteran QB on the trading block.
And from a recent ESPN piece, it doesn’t appear the price will be too high...
http://www.1500espn.com/vikings-2/2018/0...ptions-qb/
Well what I didn't see mentioned was Andy Reid was looking for two #2's for Smith.
Someone posted a great comparison between Keenum and Smith in another thread. Stats slightly favored Smith, but
not enough to trade away picks for a guy that has a $20.6 million cap hit in 2018. If the Chiefs release him, they have dead cap money of $3.6 million which makes that decision a no brainer when they can hand over the job to Mahomes. I can't see too many GM's lining up to take on that salary knowing the Chiefs won't keep him at that price.
If I'm Rick, I transition Tag Case so you can let other teams set his market value and have the flexibilty to match or take the picks as compensation and then sign Teddy or Sam, or look at Smith once he is released.
He can ask, but the whole League knows he's dying to start his shiny new QB. That doesn't leave KC with much leverage.
I like Smith, but not enough to really want to trade good picks for. I just think some other team would offer more than us.
Smith could be had for a lower pick, teams know KC has little leverage
Smith is the PERFECT pick for both Rick and Zim. A guy who can light it up occasionally, but most importantly a guy you can trust.
Smith, Teddy, Sloter 2018
Crazy talk. Smith isn't a franchise QB that you ride to a SB, and at age 34, I'm not interested in short term rentals anymore. If we're going all in, for the short term, just pay for Brees and be done with it.
Quote: @TBro said:
Someone posted a great comparison between Keenum and Smith in another thread. Stats slightly favored Smith, but
not enough to trade away picks for a guy that has a $20.6 million cap hit in 2018. If the Chiefs release him, they have dead cap money of $3.6 million which makes that decision a no brainer when they can hand over the job to Mahomes. I can't see too many GM's lining up to take on that salary knowing the Chiefs won't keep him at that price.
If I'm Rick, I transition Tag Case so you can let other teams set his market value and have the flexibilty to match or take the picks as compensation and then sign Teddy or Sam, or look at Smith once he is released.
You don't receive picks with the transition tag iirc, only chance at the right to match any contract he is offered, and who is to say that Teddy or Sam would be sitting around waiting for the Vikes to make up their mind on Case?
Imo the team needs to be decisive in how they approach this decision. Pick their guy/guys and go after them to mutually beneficial contracts. If we want shorter terms them it will be for more money up front IMO.
Quote: @JimmyinSD said:
@ TBro said:
Someone posted a great comparison between Keenum and Smith in another thread. Stats slightly favored Smith, but
not enough to trade away picks for a guy that has a $20.6 million cap hit in 2018. If the Chiefs release him, they have dead cap money of $3.6 million which makes that decision a no brainer when they can hand over the job to Mahomes. I can't see too many GM's lining up to take on that salary knowing the Chiefs won't keep him at that price.
If I'm Rick, I transition Tag Case so you can let other teams set his market value and have the flexibilty to match or take the picks as compensation and then sign Teddy or Sam, or look at Smith once he is released.
You don't receive picks with the transition tag iirc, only chance at the right to match any contract he is offered, and who is to say that Teddy or Sam would be sitting around waiting for the Vikes to make up their mind on Case?
Imo the team needs to be decisive in how they approach this decision. Pick their guy/guys and go after them to mutually beneficial contracts. If we want shorter terms them it will be for more money up front IMO.
You're correct. I was thinking of the non exclusive franchise tag.
Neither Alex Smith, Kirk Cousins or Drew Brees is coming to Minnesota. This is all the same smoke B.S. we get at this time of the year from around the NFL.
IMO, they are really looking hard at a Bradford-Sloter combo. Stefanski can put in place a very Shurmur-like, Bradford friendly offense: he saw it first hand the last 2 years. Just my personal theory, zero confirmation anywhere on this.
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