Vikings Floated as Offseason Trade Destination for Cowboys Quarterback
The Minnesota Vikings have made yet another change at quarterback. Head coach Kevin O’Connell tabbed Nick Mullens as the starter following another rough start for Josh Dobbs in Week 14.
This situation is sure to bleed into the offseason where even more questions loom.
Kirk Cousins will be 36 years old by the start of next season. He is a free agent after this season and there is no heir apparent on the roster. Minnesota should explore multiple avenues to shore up the position. Enter Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance.
“Lance might raise the ceiling on Dallas’ QB2 spot, but the Cowboys could get a better return for Lance than what they paid from teams such as the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints or Seattle Seahawks,” wrote Connor Livesay of 33rd Team on December 8. “If those teams miss out on the top passers in the draft, they could see Lance as a viable option.”
The No. 3 overall pick in the 2021 draft, Lance has yet to throw a pass this season behind starter Dak Prescott whose MVP candidacy could alter Dallas’ backup plans.
Prescott is heading into the final year of his contract and Cooper Rush is already locked in.
Lance opened the 2022 campaign as the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback. He suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out for the season and required multiple surgeries, losing his starting spot to Brock Purdy in the process. Dallas acquired Lance from San Francisco for a fourth-round pick in August.
He completed 66.7% of his passes for 287 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception during the preseason while still with the Niners.
In two seasons with San Francisco, Lance completed 54.9% of his passes 797 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He added 235 yards and one touchdown on 54 carries in that span.
He is also a Marshall, Minnesota native and was a standout at Marshall High School.
Minnesota wants to bring Cousins back next season, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. But his age and contract situation makes planning for the future a prudent exercise.
This could at least be a part of their plans to address the looming issue.
