The Debate Can End: Vikings Now Boast Crystal Clear Insight about Next Step

Stunning incompetence does bring clarity, doesn’t it?

On Monday Night Football, the Brian Flores defense was playing sensational football. Genuinely, Coach Flores has been leading a monstrous, marvellous effort for the Vikings that proved too much for even the great Josh Allen and Bills offense.

But then the Kevin O’Connell offense did what the Kevin O’Connell offense has been doing. And then the defense couldn’t hold on.

As a result, the focus must be for the Vikings to pivot toward adding a passer. More specifically, the move has to be to grab Kirk Cousins, a veteran who knows the scheme and who has a nice rapport with Justin Jefferson. Failing to address the quarterback spot before today’s 3 p.m. CT deadline would be football malpractice.

The Vikings Must Trade for a QB

Normally, I steer clear of Twitter during games. Not so on this Monday Night Football game.

— READ MORE: A Late Surprise Ahead of MNF —
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— READ MORE: The Plot Thickens as Vikings Search for RB Help —

Various people had a variety of opinions, many of which were equal parts cruel and funny. Ted Nguyen (The Athletic) got to the point: “Carson Wentz is a very unenjoyable watch.” Tyler Dunne (Go Long TD) summarized what all were thinking: “One quarter in, Brian Flores has this Bills O in a blender. (It remains to be seen if the Vikings O will make an appearance this evening.)” Never known for his subtlety, Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk) cut to the chase about what needs to happen: “If the Vikings don’t trade for a quarterback tomorrow, they’re not a serious franchise.”

No doubt, things got very, very ugly out there (take your pick if I’m referring to the football at U.S. Bank Stadium, Twitter, or both).

For whatever it’s worth, Carson Wentz shouldn’t have been put into this situation. The veteran journeyman is a good QB3. Essentially, someone who doesn’t need reps in practice to prepare for the game while being an assassin in the film room. If an emergency arises in the game itself, then turn to the seasoned veteran to go in undaunted by the moment. That’s where Wentz should find himself.

But to rally around him as the starter since he’s a snap away is too much for Wentz at this stage in his career.

The pivot now needs to be to acquire an arm. Kevin O’Connell didn’t answer the question about whether Minnesota would look to pickup a passer ahead of the deadline. Instead, he indicated that he’d defer to GM Nolan Teasley to make the final call on any trading that does or doesn’t happen.

Fair enough.

What’s crystal clear is that the Minnesota Vikings are leading a mess of an offense. It’s horrific out there and there’s very little reason to expect major improvement with the in-house passers. So, the move at the trade deadline is to add an arm.

The deadline arrives today at 3 p.m. CT.