Does Russell Wilson to the Vikings make any sense?
The Broncos officially cut Russell Wilson Monday and speculation of his next landing spot kicked into overdrive as the start of free agency on March 13 nears. Naturally, it's only doing due diligence to wonder if Wilson makes sense in Minnesota if Kirk Cousins leaves for Atlanta or somewhere else.
Financially it makes a ton of sense. The Vikings have only around $37 million in cap space to open the new league year and they have big money extensions to negotiate and a bunch of holes to patch on defense.
The Broncos are still on the hook for $39 million to be paid to Wilson during the 2024 season. Offset language in Wilson's contract means that whatever he is paid from his new team is money the Broncos don't have to pay. As punishment for how he was unceremoniously dumped in Denver, Wilson could sign for the league minimum, which is about $1.21 million, and still rake in just over $37 million from the Broncos.
For a team like the Vikings, it's an interesting idea. Sign a former Super Bowl champion QB for peanuts, extend Justin Jefferson to a mega deal, bring back Danielle Hunter and load up on defense. The Vikings could even draft their future QB while signing Wilson to a short-term deal.
The biggest question is how Wilson fits into what Kevin O'Connell is looking for in a quarterback.
At 35 years old, the Vikings wouldn't be getting the same Wilson who was keeping plays alive while helping the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. He hasn't broken 400 yards rushing in four seasons and his yards-per-attempt in 2023 (4.3) was the second-lowest of his career.
Ivan Pace Jr. stares towards Russell Wilson during Minnesota's game against the Broncos in Denver.
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
Passing wise it's fallen off for Wilson as well. The 2023 season saw the nine-time Pro Bowler throw for the fewest yards of his career, with his yards-per-game the lowest since his rookie season. Wilson has earned the three lowest passing grades of his career from PFF the past three seasons.
"I would be surprised if they felt like he was the best fit considering where his career has gone since Seattle," Purple Insider's Matthew Coller told Bring Me The Sports in December when the Vikings were betting favorites to land Wilson. "He put together a decent season with the Broncos but no longer appears to be a QB that can carry a team like he did with the Seahawks."
Wilson's past two teams have eaten $111 million in dead cap hits to move on from him. Some might say that speaks louder than any of his stats about why he isn't a great fit for a Minnesota team that has earned a reputation for having a tremendous culture under the post-Mike Zimmer regime.
