Minnesota Vikings star quarterback Kirk Cousins suffered a non-contact injury in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers. He suffered a torn right Achilles and will miss the rest of the season. Rookie Jaren Hall played the remainder of the game at QB.
The Minnesota Vikings quarterback was in a contract year
Cousins had a great start to his final year under contract. He was 216/311 for 2,331 passing yards, 69.5% completion percentage, 7.5 yards per attempt, 18 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 4-4 record. Cousins leads the league in attempts, completions, and passing touchdowns.
He will be a free agent during the 2024 offseason. His future with Minnesota is uncertain.
Minnesota’s options at QB
Minnesota hasn’t announced who the starting QB will be for the rest of the season. It could be 5th-round pick Jaren Hall. Nick Mullens entered the season as the backup to Cousins. He suffered a back injury, and Minnesota put him on injured reserve. Minnesota can activate him from the injured reserve in Week 10. Minnesota could elevate Sean Mannion from the practice squad.
Finally, they could trade for a QB. He is the third-stringer, he has starting experience, and he has a reasonable contract. His name is Mason Rudolph.
Pittsburgh drafted Rudolph in 2018
The Pittsburgh Steelers traded up to draft Mason Rudolph in the 3rd round, 76th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. Rudolph competed against Landry Jones and Joshua Dobbs for the backup spot. Dobbs won the backup job. Rudolph ended up being the third-stringer in his rookie season.
Rudolph got playing time in his second season
Rudolph started the season as Ben Roethlisberger’s backup. Roethlisberger suffered a season-ending elbow injury in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Rudolph made his first start in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. He suffered a concussion in Week 5 against the Baltimore Ravens and missed Week 6. He returned in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins. Rudolph was involved in the infamous brawl in Week 11 against the Cleveland Browns.
Pittsburgh benched Rudolph in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Devlin Hodges filled in and was named the starting QB. Hodges got benched in Week 16 against the New York Jets. Rudolph left the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury that game. He suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation and was placed on injured reserve. Rudolph missed the rest of the season.
Rudolph was 176/283 for 1,765 yards, 62.2% completion percentage, 6.2 yards per attempt, 13 touchdowns, and nine interceptions with a 5-3 record.
Rudolph started in one game in his third season
Rudolph started in one game in his fourth season
Rudolph signed a 1-year, $5 million contract extension with Pittsburgh on April 29, 2021. Roethlisberger tested positive for COVID and missed Week 10 against the Detroit Lions. Pickett was 30/50 for 242 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in their 16-16 tie.
Rudolph lost the starting job in 2022
Pittsburgh had a busy 2022 offseason. They signed Mitch Trubisky to a 2-year and drafted Kenny Pickett in the 1st round in the 2022 draft. Rudolph competed with Trubisky and Pickett for the starting quarterback job. Pittsburgh went with Trubisky and replaced him with Pickett. Rudolph served as the third-stringer the entire season.
Re-signed again
Rudolph agreed to a 1-year, $1,080,000 contract with the Steelers last offseason. Starting QB Kenny Pickett suffered a rib injury on Sunday. He is a ‘game-time’ decision for Thursday. If Pickett can’t make it, the team could either go with Trubisky or Rudolph. If they don’t feel confident in Trubisky, they could play Rudolph.
What does Mason Rudolph bring to Minnesota?
Rudolph brings experience to Minnesota’s QB room. Rudolph started in 10 games in his career with Pittsburgh. He is an instant upgrade over any Vikings QB. Rudolph has a reasonable contract. It wouldn’t make sense for Minnesota to trade for a player that is on a multi-year deal or one that has a large contract.
Pittsburgh is unlikely to trade Rudolph, given Pickett’s injury and Trubisky’s struggles.
Minnesota losing Kirk Cousins is a huge loss for the 4-4 Minnesota Vikings. They desperately need QB help for the rest of the season. Mason Rudolph could solve their QB woes.
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