Vikings Snag $118M AFC QB in Blockbuster Trade

• NFL

The Minnesota Vikings find themselves in a precarious position, facing a pivotal decision that could potentially salvage their playoff aspirations. With their starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a torn Achilles tendon, the Vikings find themselves at a crossroads.

Cousins' impressive performance prior to his injury, delivering Pro-Bowl level play and orchestrating three consecutive victories, had effectively resurrected the Vikings' season. However, the team’s depth at the quarterback position is now a significant concern.

Backup QB Nick Mullens is currently on injured reserve, with a minimum of one more game before he can return to action, leaving rookie Jaren Hall, who has struggled with ball security, as the only available option.

Quarterback Quest Intensifies

The Vikings’ search for a quarterback solution is extensive, spanning across numerous potential candidates.

While free agency offers a straightforward path to acquiring a new signal-caller, the looming trade deadline on Tuesday, October 31st, at 4 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, adds a sense of urgency to the situation. The free-agent market, however, is cluttered with players whose current value may not justify a mid-season acquisition.

Trading seems to be the more enticing and promising route, particularly when considering potential playoff contention. Ryan Tannehill, formerly of the Tennessee Titans, stands out as an attractive option. Despite nursing a high ankle sprain sustained in a game against the Baltimore Ravens on October 15, Tannehill's potential availability has garnered attention.

Nate Davis from USA Today has advocated for a mid-season alliance between the Vikings and Tannehill, who is in the last year of a hefty four-year, $118 million contract signed in 2020. The Vikings may temporarily turn to Sean Mannion, a familiar face within the organization, as they navigate their quarterback quandary.

Mannion, currently on the practice squad, is expected to be elevated to the active roster and could start in the upcoming game against the Falcons. This short-term solution allows Mullens additional recovery time and provides a window for Tannehill to integrate into the Vikings’ system, should a trade materialize.

Tannehill’s experience and accomplishments, including a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and multiple playoff victories, underscore his potential value to the Vikings. The coming days will reveal whether Minnesota opts to pursue this high-stakes trade, as they strive to keep their playoff dreams alive in a season marked by unexpected twists and turns.