Why the current situation is a concern
The Vikings have a durable figure under center in Kirk Cousins. But the options behind him are slim if he were to ever miss an extended period of time.
The franchise has bet a lot that this won’t be the case. However, with the quarterback’s lack of mobility making him susceptible to hits, it is more concerning that it appears.
Add to that Minnesota’s distinct lack of protection on the interior and these worries only strengthen. This is something the franchise should look to resolve in the NFL Draft or from their reported interest in Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams, which could move Riley Reiff over to the guard spot.
The chances of this current Vikings roster achieving a Super Bowl win are diminishing with every passing year. With so many familiar faces no longer with the organization, one would think everything has to go right in 2020 for them to stand any hope of making a return to the postseason.
If Cousins were to go down, any slim hopes of a Vince Lombardi trophy would evaporate. If the Vikings could bring in a more capable or proven backup this year though, things might not be as bad as first feared.
Minnesota must be prepared for every possibility in order to give themselves the best possible chance of succeeding next season. Sean Mannion might be happy being an understudy, but the likelihood of him guiding a franchise to the promised land is extremely unlikely.
Hopefully, this is a problem that will not present itself when competitive action gets underway. However, stranger things have happened and the Vikings need a better option to avoid further complications down the line.