Aloha, Skoloholics! With the NFL silly season in full swing, rumors and speculation are being flung about the air waves like a hippo flinging poop. See video:
That was fun. Let’s fling a little poop ourselves.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that the Ravens have placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamar Jackson. The franchise tag gives the Ravens until July 17 to reach a multi-year extension with Jackson. The non-exclusive tag also means that any team can negotiate with Lamar Jackson. If that team and Jackson agree to terms on a deal, the Ravens have the option to match the offer and retain Jackson. The Ravens have indicated that they intend to match most contract proposals. If the Ravens decide not to match the contract, then Jackson would go to the proposing team and that team would forfeit two first-round picks to the Ravens.
Might the Minnesota Vikings be interested in pursuing Lamar Jackson? Let’s take a look and see if it makes sense for them to consider doing so. In our analysis, we’re going to use PFR for statistics. Also, I don’t plan to offer opinion, I am only trying to convey information for conversation’s sake, I’ll save my opinion for the comments.
Minnesota Vikings QB Situation
The Minnesota Vikings already have a quarterback in Kirk Cousins, but the Vikings have chosen not to extend Cousins this off-season. This has led many fans to believe that the team may be moving on from their starting quarterback after the 2023 season. In this scenario, the Vikings would obviously have to move Cousins prior to the 2023 season to make room for Jackson. I understand that Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract, so this move would be difficult, at best. Remember, we’re just flinging poop here.
Let’s take a look at both quarterbacks to see how they stack up against each other. I’m going to use per game stats since the two players’ experience levels differ vastly, making bulk stats impossible to compare accurately.
Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins is entering his 12th year in the NFL. He was drafted by the Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft, the same draft where they gave away a ton to move up in the first round to select their QBOTF, Robert Griffen III. Cousins took over as starter in the later half of 2014, and has been a starting QB ever since. He left Washington after he couldn’t agree to a long-term contract with them. The Vikings signed him in 2018 to the first-ever fully-guaranteed NFL contract, and making him the highest-paid QB in the NFL at that time. Cousins has been the starter in Minnesota ever since.
Cousins has certainly been a polarizing force among the Vikings fan base. There are many who love Cousins, as he has brought stability to a position where the Vikings have had an abysmal track record of finding stability. There are also many who do not like Cousins.To be honest, you can attribute a vast majority of fans’ negative feelings towards Cousins to his contract and cap hit. Some fans feel that he is occupying too large a % of the cap, and the team is unable to build a strong team around him because of that.
Cousins has been consistent and reliable with the Vikings. He has certainly lit up the stat sheet, being one of the most productive QBs in the league in many statistical categories. However, until last year, Cousins only produced around a .500 W-L record and only two playoff appearances in six years. I do not like using W-L record to judge a QB’s performance, but it’s certainly something to consider when evaluating a QB. The Vikings are 46-33-1 with Cousins under center, and have made the playoffs twice in six years, with one playoff win which came in the 2019-20 season.
Kirk Cousins Stats
| Cmp% | TD/Gm | INT/Gm | PassYds/Gm | RushYds/Gm | Y/A | AY/A |
| 66.8% | 1.8 | 0.67 | 266.5 | 6.5 | 7.6 | 7.7 |
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson was selected by the Ravens in the first round (#32 overall) of the 2018 NFL draft, the Ravens had to trade up to select Jackson. (Rob pointed out to me that the Vikings could have selected Jackson that year instead of drafting Garrett Bradbury. Sigh.) Lamar Jackson assumed the starting role after Joe Flacco was injured in week 9 of the 2018 season, and has been the starter ever since. The Ravens were 4-5 when Jackson took over in 2018, but he led them to a 6-1 finish and an AFC North division title.
Lamar Jackson is not a prototypical quarterback, as the Ravens and Greg Roman employ a run-heavy offense, taking advantage of Jackson’s speed and agility. Jackson will often lead the team in rushing yards while not throwing the ball as often as most quarterbacks. This type of play tends to expose the quarterback to potential for injury, and Jackson has been injured. Injuries have ended Jackson’s past two seasons, with an ankle sprain in week 14 ending his 2021 season, and a knee sprain to his PCL ending his 2022 season.
Lamar Jackson has been productive and quite effective for the Baltimore Ravens. In his 4.5 years as starter, Jackson has amassed an astounding 45-16 record, and the Ravens have made the playoffs in four of his five year career.
Lamar Jackson Stats
| Cmp% | TD/Gm | INT/Gm | PassYds/Gm | RushYds/Gm | Y/A | AY/A |
| 63.7% | 1.8 | 0.54 | 174.4 | 63.4 | 7.4 | 7.6 |
Summary
There is a lot to consider when comparing the two quarterbacks. I’m going to assume that these two are going to command similar contracts moving forward. Kirk Cousins has shown no indication that he is willing to play for any sort of discount, not that he should, and Lamar seems to want a contract that at least approaches what the Browns (foolishly) gave to DeShaun Watson.
In order to obtain the services of Lamar Jackson, the Vikings would need to 1) agree to a contract with Jackson, a contract that the Ravens would NOT want to match (this is something to seriously consider, you would have to make him an offer that they think is too crazy to match), and 2) pony up two first-round picks. That being said, and all things considered, do you think the Vikings should consider making a play for Lamar Jackson? Join in the comments and share your thoughts! SKOL!!!!!!!
Should the Vikings negotiate a contract with Lamar Jackson?
- No (81%, 29 Votes)
- Yes, he is worth the cost (14%, 5 Votes)
- I have no opinion (6%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 36
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No for me. But… I would love to see the Jets get him!! 😁
Hard pass… the only good reason to ditch Kirk for Jackson is to gain back longevity at QB. Even that is “iffy”, as we should remember that Jackson has had injury issues the last two years and relies heavily on his body to be the dynamic player that he is. With Jackson on the team, the backup QB becomes much more important and the QB position becomes a much higher % of total cap which will tick fans off the second he goes down with the inevitable ankle/knee injury in week 15….
Statistically speaking, we gain nothing because we already have an accurate, smart, and capable QB who gives the team a chance to win on a weekly basis.
Kirks top 2 WR since 2018
2018 – Diggs AT
2019 – Diggs AT
2020 – JJ AT
2021 – JJ AT
2022 – JJ AT
Lamars top WR since 2018
2018 – John Brown Willie Snead
2019 – Marquise Brown Snead
2020 – Brown Snead
2021 – Brown Rashod Bateman
2022 – Demarcus Robinson Devin Duvernay
2019-2022 a TE was actually the 2nd highest receiver.
Whats Lamar’s ceiling when you throw in an all world WR like JJ?
I posted this elsewhere:
As for Jackson, exchanging one expensive QB for another is a fireable idea (plus the loss of consecutive 1st round picks).
Oh look! We have a shiny young WR just entering his prime, who has clicked with a QB since entering the league, and an aging RB who appeared to have lost a step last year with an oline that is still suspect at best.
Let’s go ahead and switch from a pass based offense to a run-heavy one while also pricing ourselves out of future moves AND getting rid of two first round picks..
Mark me down for a NO, please.
Yup, once you look more deeply, it’s almost impossible to get on board with the move.
We’ll put you down as a “maybe”
I dont think it’s worth it for a few reasons, but the main reason is I just don’t see the Ravens not matching any offer for Lamar. If they don’t… I don’t see KAM wanting to pony up 2 first rounds picks and a massive contract extension.
That’s my thought, too. In order to land Lamar, you’d have to sign him to a contract that the Ravens think is too stupid to match. So, you’d have to overpay him, PLUS give up two first round picks.
I wouldn’t do it for that reason.
It’s an enticing move, picking up an MVP QB who’s only 26 years old, but damn, you’d have to sign him to a deal that’s so ridiculous that the Ravens say ‘no thanks’ to matching it.
If, and it’s a big if, you can get a 1st and 2nd for Cousins the draft capital and contract are pretty much a wash. My biggest fear is if you go the Jackson route and he is unable to get the ball to JJ, JJ walks and the end of his contract.
Good point. I think a first for Kirk is likely, so you’re maybe giving up one first for Jackson, plus signing him to a contract that is so bad that the Ravens won’t match it.
I’m not too worried about him getting the ball to JJ. Lamar has never had a good WR to throw to, plus he throws on the run A LOT, and his completion % still isn’t that far behind Cousins’.
I still don’t think I’d do it.
On the upside, you’re getting MVP talent. You don’t have that with a draft pick.
JJ would be traded before they let him walk.
5th year… Franchise tags… and the like.
realistically they don’t “have” to pay him for a minimum what? 3-4 years?