If the Minnesota Vikings end up losing Kirk Cousins to free agency this offseason, could they turn to current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew?
Minshew is on a one-year deal with the Colts, meaning he is slated to hit free agency in March. The veteran has been starting most of the year for Indianapolis, but that’s only because rookie signal-caller Anthony Richardson is sidelined for the season due a shoulder injury that required surgery.
Once Richardson gets healthy, he will almost certainly re-assume his position as Indy’s starting quarterback, so Minshew may have to look elsewhere if he wants to start in 2024.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder thinks the Vikings may represent a viable option for him.
Cousins just tore his Achilles earlier this year and will be 36 years old by the start of next season, so Minnesota may choose not to retain him.
The problem for the Vikings is that, barring a trade-up, they won’t have a good enough draft pick to take one of the top quarterbacks in this year’s draft class.
That means Minnesota may have to find its answer in free agency, and Minshew will be one of the more intriguing signal-callers available this spring.
In 14 appearances and 11 starts this season, Minshew has thrown for 2,940 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while completing 62.5 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 83.9. Most importantly, Minshew has the Colts in playoff position with just two weeks remaining in the regular season.
The 27-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Washington State, was originally selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
He spent his first couple of seasons with the Jaguars and was impressive, totaling 37 touchdowns and just 11 picks across 23 games and 20 starts. Minshew then made his way to the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons, where he served as Jalen Hurts’ backup. He proceeded to sign with the Colts last offseason.
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