The future of the quarterback position for the Minnesota Vikings is uncertain, given Kirk Cousins’ expiring contract and a season-ending Achilles tear.
The decision to re-sign Cousins involves weighing options, as doing so would allow the team to reduce his dead cap number and delay investing high draft picks into a quarterback.
However, the Vikings would need to compete in a challenging NFC, with new contenders like the Detroit Lions emerging.
Alternatively, embracing the competitive rebuild path advocated by Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would necessitate addressing the backup quarterback position. In the absence of Cousins last year, backup options like Nick Mullens, Joshua Dobbs, and Jaren Hall performed poorly.
The upcoming draft presents an opportunity for the Vikings to secure a promising quarterback, such as South Carolina Gamecocks’ Spencer Rattler, projected to go in the third round.
Rattler’s journey to the NFL has been tumultuous, with criticism for his demeanor on the Netflix show QB1 and a benching at Oklahoma in favor of Caleb Williams. However, his talent is intriguing, and with mechanical refinement, acclimation to NFL speed, and development behind Cousins, Rattler could emerge as an NFL starter or a bridge quarterback for the Vikings’ future.
Examining Rattler’s performance against a formidable Georgia defense, his ability to execute plays under pressure stands out. Despite being heavily pressured and sacked during the 2023 season, Rattler demonstrated commendable accuracy, especially under pressure, with a 47.1% completion rate (sixth in FBS).
His pocket presence and response to pressure were notable, although there are concerns about his mechanics, occasional decision-making issues, and inconsistent pocket management.
Some executives and a former scout have praised Rattler, with one even dubbing him the QB1 of the 2024 draft class. However, Rattler’s mechanical inconsistencies, occasional decision-making lapses, and pocket management issues need addressing.
Under the guidance of Cousins and Kevin O’Connell, there is potential for Rattler to refine his skills and become the Vikings’ quarterback of the future, leveraging his impressive vertical passing ability and middle-of-the-field prowess.
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