Minnesota finished second in the NFC North this past season, thanks in large part to an effective year from its quarterback.
Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins raised his QBR and attempted less passes than the season before, allowing for running back Dalvin Cook to have a big year and the team to be relatively successful.
So where does the Vikings quarterback room rank among the top quarterbacks in the NFC North? According to one NFL scout, the Minnesota quarterback room, made up of Kirk Cousins, Sean Mannion, Jake Browning and Nate Stanley, is the third best in the division, as reported by Sports Illustrated.
Here’s what the scout told SI:
“The Vikings, believing they were one player away from the Super Bowl after reaching the NFC Championship Game with Case Keenum in 2017, signed Kirk Cousins to a blockbuster contract in 2018. Of 33 quarterbacks to throw 500 passes the past two seasons, Cousins is No. 6 in passer rating, No. 5 in touchdowns and No. 2 in completion percentage. In fact, Cousins blows Rodgers out of the water in those key numbers: plus-6.5 in rating, plus-5 in touchdowns and plus-7.5 in completion percentage. However, in big moments, Cousins has struggled. In two games against the Packers last season, he had his lowest passer ratings of the season (both in the 50s), including a woeful 16-of-31 for 122 yards and five sacks in Week 16 in Minneapolis.
Sean Mannion and rookie Nate Stanley will battle to be the backup.”
Browning, who was on the practice squad in 2019, will also battle for the backup position. Chase Daniel might be a slightly better backup than Mannion or the aforementioned options for the Vikings, so that probably gives the Lions a boost.
I think it’s probably fair to rank Minnesota the third best quarterback room. The Packers will be the best until Rodgers ages too much.