Beyond Kyler Murray, Vikings reportedly target two other proven quarterbacks in a surprising offseason pursuit.
The NFL world has narrowed in on the Minnesota Vikings' most likely quarterback addition. Kyler Murray is reportedly the quarterback to beat in the Vikings' search.
Some, however, have come to the conclusion that Murray is the team's only quarterback option. One local voice suggests that it's not only Murray who Minnesota has interest in signing this offseason.
Eric Strack of the Minnesota Sports Fan recorded what one local insider is saying of the Vikings' quarterback pursuit. He shared what Darren Wolfson of SKOR North had to say about the Vikings not-so-limited quarterback pursuit.
“I’m really keying in on one of three guys. Geno Smith, Kyler Murray, Kirk Cousins. Now, hey, I saw the report on Friday morning, a New York Jets reporter for SNY out of New York pretty much saying done deal — Kyler Murray signing with the Vikings. I have not heard that. I just I haven’t heard that it’s a done deal. ...
Do I think Kyler Murray wants to be here? Do I think some Vikings players would welcome Kyler Murray with open arms? Abso-freaking-lutely. But I just can’t sit here this weekend and tell you definitively, ‘yes, it’s a done deal, come Wednesday, late afternoon, early evening, the news is going to break [that] Kyler Murray is signing with the Vikings.’
I think he would love it. I just haven’t been told from people in Eagan that it’s absolutely trending in that direction.”
From left: Solomon Wilcots, Patrick Peterson, Kirk Cousins and Brian Hoyer on the Opening Drive show on the SiriusXM NFL radio set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesOf the three potential quarterbacks, adding Murray is the no brainer best available deal. It is that way for a couple of reasons.
For starters, he's better than Kirk Cousins because Murray's ceiling is much higher. As many have said, we have already seen the peak of a Kirk Cousins Era: One playoff win and plenty of losses to the league's best teams.
Cousins sets a safe floor in that you're going to beat the teams you should beat, but you also are not going to beat teams you're not expected to beat. Add in Cousins' age and he probably won't be playing in the league very much longer.
As for Geno Smith, the statistics he put up with the Las Vegas Raiders are marginally better than what the Vikings got from McCarthy when you factor in turnover rate. That said, it's fair to say that until we see real progress on a new contract that the Vikings net encompasses more than pursuing Murray to become their next quarterback.