Will Vikings re-sign Joshua Dobbs over Kirk Cousins? Breaking down Minnesota’s 2024 free agency outlook at QB | Sporting News

When the Vikings started the 2023 NFL season with three straight losses, many wrote them off as a playoff contender. However, they managed to claw their way back into the playoff race thanks in part to a stellar performance by quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Then, Minnesota was presumed dead in the water again when Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in the team’s Week 8 win over the Packers. He was ruled out for the season, and questions about the free-agent-to-be’s future with the Vikings were raised.

At that point, many presumed that the Vikings would begin to decline. Instead, they have gone 2-0 thanks to strong performances from quarterback Joshua Dobbs, who the team acquired from the Cardinals ahead of the 2023 NFL trade deadline.

The impressive part of Dobbs’ success is that he had been with the Vikings only five days before leading them to a come-from-behind victory against the Falcons. His ability to pick up the offense quickly and star within it certainly will encourage head coach Kevin O’Connell; and now, there could be questions about Dobbs’ future as the 28-year-old prepares to hit free agency.

The Vikings were always prepared to face a major quarterback decision during the 2024 NFL offseason, and it will start with making a decision about the futures of both Cousins and Dobbs.