Minnesota Vikings: 5 veteran quarterbacks who could replace Kirk Cousins

Matt Ryan (Falcons)

There is no reason to believe Matt Ryan will leave Atlanta this offseason but the idea of him replacing Kirk Cousins in Minnesota should excite Vikings fans. Ryan has been sensational this season despite the Flacons trading his top receiver and having a lackluster offensive line.

Ryan has thrown for 2,157 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions in eight games this season. His efforts have kept the Falcons alive in the NFC, sitting at 4-4 after an important win over the Saints in Week 9. Ryan still looks every bit of an NFL starting quarterback at 36 years old.

If the Falcons decide to move on from their franchise guy this offseason, which is possible given his age and salary number, the Vikings would be an interesting landing spot. Minnesota is realistically more than just a quarterback away from contending but Ryan would save them another year or two to draft his successor.

Acquiring Ryan would be difficult given his cap numbers, as well as Cousins’, which sit well above $40 million. The Vikings would have to bite the bullet for a year or two unless they were able to restructure his deal as part of the trade to bring him up north. Then again, Atlanta may want to hang on to Ryan to make him a life-long Falcon.

If Matt Ryan keeps up his current level of play, there is no doubt that he could take the Vikings to the playoffs. He would have a much better set of weapons around him than what he has in Atlanta right now with a promising offensive line taking shape.