The Minnesota Vikings currently don’t have any quarterbacks on their roster. They were said to be going hard after free agent Kirk Cousins. They’ve also made a play for Drew Brees.
That’s somewhat frightening. The Vikings have plenty of salary cap space and one of the best defenses in the league. They obviously feel they are an elite quarterback away from the Super Bowl and maybe they are. For as swell as Case Keenum was in 2017, I don’t think anyone would consider him elite.
Drew Brees is no doubt elite — he hasn’t passed for less than 4,000 yards in a season since 2005, but this marriage isn’t likely to happen.
Brees has repeatedly said he wants to remain in New Orleans. The Saints have repeatedly said he isn’t going anywhere.
Perhaps the Vikings make some bonkers offer — more than $30 million per season. They can. They have $45 million of salary cap space available. However, the Saints have around $33 million available. Surely, that would be matched.
However, the Vikings no doubt have Brees’ attention.
The only surprising thing right now is Brees hasn’t already re-signed with the Saints. Perhaps, like Aaron Rodgers, he is waiting around to see what Kirk Cousins gets, so he can one-up Cousins.
Interestingly, we’ve yet to hear anything about where Cousins might be going, although the obvious options are the Jets, Vikings or Cardinals.
Brees is just a short term stop gap. The real plan is to wait for the Packers to low ball Rodgers, and then he can follow in Favre’s footsteps (again).
The title is not accurate but the rest of the article was well written. The Vikings have reportedly made inquiries — is it possible, what may it cost, what contract is wanted, and such. That is not yet “taking a shot”. If it were then every team has “taken a shot” at half the free agents out there.
Keep this in mind. Supposedly Trader Rick spoke with Bree’s agent. Two people in that conversation. Why is it in the news? One or both of them want it in the news. Bree’s agent for a bigger contract… and maybe same thing to Trader Rick!
The Vikings top competition in the NFC are Eagles, Saints, and Rams. This could drive up Bree’s price for the Saints an extra 4 or 5 million. That makes them less competitive.
It also is not unwise (also known as wise) to have plan B and C in place and to investigate all avenues of improvement.
Brees is actually better than Cousins. But his arrow will soon point downward. If the Vikings do not get Cousins but somehow do get Brees I’d look for them to draft a QB in RD 1 to learn behind him (Lamar Jackson). That is a #1 pick that could be used elsewhere and Brees will cost as much as Cousins albeit only over another 2 or 3 years. However, get Brees and you just demolished the Saints for a couple years!
Enticing!