With Division rival Green Bay Packers having defeated Division foe the Chicago Bears yesterday to go to the Super Bowl, the climb back to the top of the NFC North may be more daunting than we have all led on. Two Division teams are arguably the two best teams in the NFC and all three division teams have their quarterback spot set for this year and years to come. The Vikings, on the other hand, do not. The media pundits seem to believe the Vikings will draft one QB option and either sign in free agency or trade for another QB. TC Huddle will be revisiting this throughout the off season providing our opinions on the most viable options. However, let’s get a quick snapshot of what may be out there right now.
Joe Webb performed admirably to finish the 2010 season, including an impressive Tuesday night performance against the Eagles in Week 16. Webb is a long shot to be starter in 2011.
Kyle Orton is a name that has been thrown around. The Broncos apparently want to explore more fully what Tim Tebow brings to the table and it is reported that there is no love lost between Orton and Tebow. Kyle Orton could be a short term stop gap option for a year or two, especially if we shore up the O-Line and give AP the keys back.
Donovan McNabb is another possibility being thrown around right now. He too would be a stop gap while we develop Webb and young QB yet to be drafted. Unlike Orton, however, he should be a last resort and only a one-year option. Historically, the Vikings have set a precedent for signing wandering veteran free agent QBs. McNabb might be more of a fit then we’d like to realize.
Kevin Kolb is an option that would be more long term McNabb or Orton. The big question will be, what would the Vikings have to give up to get him? Also, if the 18-game season becomes a reality, the Eagles may want to have two good QBs on the squad as further insurance.
Vince Young will be a name we’re sure we’ll hear plenty in the coming months around these parts, especially with the Vikings hiring of Craig Johnson as quarterbacks coach. Johnson was running backs coach for the Titans in 2010 and was Young’s position coach prior to that. There are a lot of unanswered questions that we will be revisiting throughout the offseason.
Matt Hasselback is most likely done in Seattle. Coach Carrel would like to move on with his own young QB options to run his equally young squad. Hasselback has shown flashes of brilliance over the years, but has also been awful at times. His ailing back and shoulders have had a large factor on his fluctuating performance week to week and year to year. If he is (and can stay) healthy, he may be a stop gap option to consider for 2011.
There’s your realistic list in 2011 (not including draft picks). We’ll be sure to revisit this as failed first rounders (e.g. Alex Smith) and aging veterans (e.g. Kerry Collins) become a possibility for our 2011 Vikings. Let us know who you think we missed or who would like to see in 2011.
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