While the Vikings are publicly unable to acknowledge their interest in Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins until the start of free agency next week, their machinations at the NFL combine last week did plenty to suggest they’re lining up for an aggressive pursuit of the former Pro Bowler.
That line of thinking, paired with the Vikings’ own lukewarm public statements on Case Keenum, made it a fait accompli that the team would pass on using the franchise tag on Keenum before the window to do so expired on Tuesday afternoon. Putting the franchise tag on Keenum would have guaranteed the Vikings at least temporary control over one of their in-house quarterbacking options for 2018; they could have always rescinded the tag on Keenum had they signed Cousins, and tagging Keenum likely would have meant no other team would have signed him in the meantime.