Which QB do the Vikes draft in 2024?

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

You've hit on most of them, but I think there are 7 teams who will need a new QB next season. There are likely only 2 worth drafting and starting right away out of next year's draft. Last year was the draft to take a QB and that's why the Vikings took JJ. That leaves 5 teams for a bidding war.

The Steelers are already discussing giving a 36 year old Russell Wilson a 3 year $100 million extension. I would be surprised if Darnold got anything lower than 45 million per year.

If JJ's not ready, they can make Daniel Jones the next Darnold next season. There's just no reason for the Vikings to spend that amount of money on a QB when they already spent a high draft pick in what's already proving to be a very good QB draft, and have Jones in waiting. That money can go a long ways to finding more help at RB, OL, and DBs.

Darnold has been shockingly better than I expected. I'm enjoying this ride but will have no problem when he walks in the offseason for more money. It's a win for everyone.

There's not a single team in the NFL that should consider Darnold that is not running the KOC offense. That would be galactically stupid. That in itself should limit his market by a number of teams.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

I'd be surprised if a team offered him anywhere near that. Cousins is a red flag for paying Vikings quarterbacks. What percentage of success is attributable to O'Connell and the receiving weapons on this team? And considering that this is the first time that Darnold has looked competent? Just can't see a team emptying the bank for the guy. I think the Vikings should be able to negotiate for a 30-35 million deal for a few years.

Cousins is 36 and was coming off of an Achilles injury. Different situation. It's all supply and demand, and the demand will be high for a competent QB. 9 QBs will have an average salary over 50 million next season. 3 of the top 4 are Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, and Trevor Lawrence, all players Darnold can be compared to. That's the going rate.

30-35 million would rank Darnold in the 15-20 range of highest paid QB's next season. He's going to get a lot more than that.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

There's not a single team in the NFL that should consider Darnold that is not running the KOC offense. That would be galactically stupid. That in itself should limit his market by a number of teams.

Darnold also played for two of the worst QB organizations in the NFL in the Jets and Panthers. That also has to be considered.

 

[stocker08]

Cousins is 36 and was coming off of an Achilles injury. Different situation. It's all supply and demand, and the demand will be high for a competent QB. 9 QBs will have an average salary over 50 million next season. 3 of the top 4 are Dak Prescott, Jordan Love, and Trevor Lawrence, all players Darnold can be compared to. That's the going rate.

30-35 million would rank Darnold in the 15-20 range of highest paid QB's next season. He's going to get a lot more than that.

Cousins also had a good NFL track record along with a number of seasons with the Vikings playing at a pretty high level. This is the first time (one single year) that Darnold has looked like a starting QB in his career.

Idk....maybe a team will overpay for him.....but I just can't see a team giving him top ten QB money, especially after seeing how much worse Cousins has looked this year. Pretty clear that a decent amount of his success is attributable to O'Connell and the receivers.

 

[stocker08]

There's not a single team in the NFL that should consider Darnold that is not running the KOC offense. That would be galactically stupid. That in itself should limit his market by a number of teams.

Agree for the most part. I think there might be teams interested in him.....but I really don't think there are going to be teams ready to back up the Brinks truck. Getting a mid-range, two or three years deal to stick with the Vikings would be a pretty significant boon for a guy that had become an NFL afterthought.

 

[GopherWeatherGuy]

Agree for the most part. I think there might be teams interested in him.....but I really don't think there are going to be teams ready to back up the Brinks truck. Getting a mid-range, two or three years deal to stick with the Vikings would be a pretty significant boon for a guy that had become an NFL afterthought.

I don't think teams will back up the Brinks truck for a long term deal. But 3 years, 150 million is definitely in play.

This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Darnold to get paid. He and his agent are not going to take a discount to stay with the Vikings.

That's why I said this is a win-win for the Vikings and Darnold. They get a good season out of Darnold, but they already have different plans for the future. Meanwhile Darnold gets paid and is set for life.

 

[stocker08]

I don't think teams will back up the Brinks truck for a long term deal. But 3 years, 150 million is definitely in play.

This could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Darnold to get paid. He and his agent are not going to take a discount to stay with the Vikings.

That's why I said this is a win-win for the Vikings and Darnold. They get a good season out of Darnold, but they already have different plans for the future. Meanwhile Darnold gets paid and is set for life.

I am not saying that Darnold should take a massive cut to stay with the Vikings. I'd just be very surprised if he gets anywhere near $50 million a year. Even if he gets offered $40 million a year....I think he'd be wise to consider a slight discount in the $33M (what Baker is getting from Tampa) to $35M range.

The Vikings have a great situation set up for QBs. Darnold is only 27. If he wants to play into his 30s.....signing a three year deal with a crap team could send him right back into obscurity.