Vikings nearing deal to acquire Rosenfels

February 23, 11:22 PMMinnesota Vikings ExaminerJason Norton

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The future of the Vikings?

The Vikes haven’t wasted much time addressing the issue of finding a quarterback, as well they shouldn’t. All reports point to Houston Texans quarterback Sage Rosenfels coming to Minnesota in exchange for a fourth round pick.

The Texans are reportedly asking for a third round pick, the Vikes have offered a fifth round pick and it appears the teams will settle on a fourth rounder. The Vikes have also offered Rosenfels a 3-year $9 million deal, although the trade cannot be finalized until 11 p.m. on Thursday. This is the second time the Vikes have pursued Rosenfels, offering a third round pick for him last year.

Assuming Rosenfels heads to Minnesota, he will compete with Tarvaris Jackson for the starting job. Brad Childress has said he’d like Gus Frerrotte to stick around and compete as well, but the disgruntled veteran will almost surely be on his way out the door as soon as the deal is finalized.

To me, this is a bittersweet move by the Vikings. I let out a sigh of relief that Chilly didn’t stand pat with Jackson at quarterback, but they seem to have elected not to pursue a sure starter such as Matt Hasslebeck or Matt Cassel. The Vikes have rather decided on a veteran with limited starting experience who could conceivably lose the job to Jackson at training camp.

Rosenfels has started 10 games in the last two years at Houston and played in 15. His combined stats are 3,111 yards, 21 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.  He also lit up the Vikes last season after replacing an injured Matt Schaub in the second half, completing 21 of 29 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns.

These are certainly good numbers, but it should also be mentioned Rosenfels was often throwing to Andre Johnson, the second best receiver in the game behind Larry Fitzgerald.

The move will bring the experience of an eight year NFL veteran and someone who has the ability to make better decisions and feel more comfortable in the pocket, but it also may set the Vikings ceiling lower than more aggressive (and expensive) quarterback acquisitions. Could we see a Super Bowl team with Sage Rosenfels at the helm? I guess stranger things have happened.