Key Takeaways:
– The Chicago Bears quarterback, Justin Fields, emerges as a favorite to open the season as Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback, with 3-to-1 odds at the BetOnline Sportsbook.
– Trey Lance of the Dallas Cowboys follows closely, second on the betting list with 4-to-1 odds.
– Kirk Cousins, the Vikings’ six-year starter, is not listed in the BetOnline odds for the Vikings’ Week 1 starting quarterback.
– Justin Fields might cost the Vikings their No. 42 overall pick in April.
– Fields will play the last season of his four-year rookie deal in 2024 with a fifth-year team option keeping him under contract through 2025 for $25.7 million.
New Betting Favorite To Start For The Minnesota Vikings in Week 1
An updated prediction for the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback for Week 1 has emerged, and it isn’t a stranger to the franchise. On Thursday, March 8, BetOnline Sportsbook listed the Chicago Bears quarterback, Justin Fields, at 3-to-1 odds to start the season under center in Minnesota, according to a report by Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago. Following closely is Trey Lance from the Dallas Cowboys, with 4-to-1 odds.
Surprisingly Not on The List: Kirk Cousins
Intriguingly, the six-year starter for the Vikings, Kirk Cousins, is mysteriously missing from BetOnline’s odds. As time carries on without a renewed deal for Cousins in Minnesota, the quarterback is more likely to hit the open market when the free-agent period starts on March 13. If Cousins enters free agency, the Vikings will face stiff competition – potentially requiring a more generous contract to retain Cousins.
Fields To The Vikings
Switching focus back to the betting favorite, Fields, it appears the Vikings would have to trade for him. Following a dip in his market value post-combine, the Bears plan to wait for the major free-agent moves before reassessing the situation. Despite this decrease, the Bears still expect a second-round value in a possible deal for Fields.
The Possible Cost for Vikings to Get Fields
Speculation suggests that any deal the Vikings strike to nab Fields from their division rivals, the Bears, will likely cost them their No. 42 overall pick in April. Such a cost appears steep, but it’s a affordable compared to what the Vikings would have to forfeit – potentially three first-round picks – to trade up from No. 11 to No 3 with the New England Patriots to draft a rookie.
Fields’ Contract Situation
Fields will play the final year of his four-year rookie deal in 2024, which includes a fifth-year team option. This means that the Vikings could keep him under contract through 2025 for a whopping $25.7 million. This scenario, coupled with his untapped potential, could see Fields becoming an attractive prospect for the offensively-focused head coach of the Vikings, Kevin O’Connell.
In conclusion, as we approach the NFL season, the bettors and pundits are predicting a possible shift in the Vikings’ quarterback scene. With Justin Fields emerging as a top candidate, football fans are expecting a dynamic and exciting season ahead.
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