Vikings oddly predicted to go after Pro Bowl QB in free agency

The Minnesota Vikings have become the punchline of jokes this offseason after the franchise let Sam Darnold go in favor of J.J. McCarthy.

With Darnold now a Super Bowl champ with the Seattle Seahawks, and McCarthy struggling, something a change will be forthcoming this offseason.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has been named as one player the Vikings could target, but here comes ESPN's Seth Walder with his starting quarterback predictions for 2026.

And when it comes to the Vikings, Walder has Kirk Cousins, not McCarthy, starting.

"Given how Minnesota let its known quantity in Darnold walk out the door in favor of McCarthy, I suspect coach Kevin O'Connell will want to go back to known, solid production. And Cousins represents that," Walder wrote.

"The Falcons are expected to release Cousins. Once they do, the Vikings might take him back."

More: ESPN offers harsh Shedeur Sanders' Browns reality in franchise's QB search

Is Cousins the right move?

The thing the Vikings have to ask themselves is, will McCarthy be their guy long-term? If the answer is yes, then it is not good for him to sit behind Cousins. Get him out on the field and learn on the fly.

Yes, that will likely mean the Vikings won't contend, but getting McCarthy valuable live NFL reps is the best thing for him. After all, he did show glimpses last year.

But Cousins represents familiarity for the Vikings, and they were a playoff team twice with him as the starter.

So, how the Vikings approach their quarterback situation this offseason will tell us a lot about their feelings on McCarthy. 

Is he "the" guy, or not?

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