The Minnesota Vikings have an answer for anyone wondering what they’ll do next season at quarterback: Sage Rosenfels.
The Texans and Minnesota are close to completing a trade that would send quarterback Sage Rosenfels to the Vikings, possibly for a fourth-round draft choice.
The Texans had no comment on the report.This is the second year in a row in which the Vikings have been interested in acquiring Rosenfels as their starting quarterback. Rosenfels, who won six games in the last two seasons when replacing the injured Matt Schaub, is approaching the last year of his contract. If the trade is completed, the Vikings will want to extend Rosenfels’ contract.
Rosenfels, who grew up in Iowa and played at Iowa State, was hoping to be traded to the Vikings last year. Media reports said Minnesota offered a third-round draft choice, but the Texans wanted a second-round pick. Both teams denied an offer was made. The reason Rosenfels wants to be traded to the Vikings is that he would have a chance to start for a team that has Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor at running back and as has led the NFL in run defense for the last two years.
This isn’t a move that will blow the tops off many Vikings fans, but Brad Childress is trying to foster competition at the quarterback position and acquiring Rosenfels does just that. Minnesota isn’t thrilled about starting another season with just Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte at quarterback, but they’re not ready to give up on TJ either. So trading for Rosenfels and holding an open competition at quarterback makes sense on some levels.
The bottom line is that Childress doesn’t want to play musical chairs again with his quarterbacks next season. He wants more stability at the most important position on the field and if Rosenfels can do that, then he’s worth the mid-round pick that the Vikes will have to give up to acquire him.
Some fans love Jackson and think he can develop into a quality starting quarterback some day. If he has the talent to succeed, then he should be able to beat out Rosenfels in preseason and earn the starting gig. If he can’t, Rosenfels may not be spectacular, but he’s experienced, instinctive and is a fit for Childress’s West Coast Offense.
