Surprise possible Kirk Cousins replacement emerges after Cardinals QB change

At 4-4 on the year and in the thick of the playoff race, the Vikings need an upgrade under center — and quickly. With Tuesday's deadline looming, expect Minnesota to forage the quarterback trade market. 

Veteran signal-callers Jameis Winston and Ryan Tannehill are two names that have been posed as possible replacements for Cousins. Yet, a surprise decision made by the Arizona Cardinals may have just opened the door for another option. 

Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon informed reporters on Monday that the team will be benching starting quarterback Josh Dobbs. Rookie Clayton Tune is expected to man the position until Kyler Murray is healthy enough to retake the reins. 

Losers of five consecutive games, Arizona is one of just two teams with fewer than two wins this season. Despite the team's struggles, Dobbs has been relatively serviceable. Thrust into the QB1 role mere weeks after being acquired from the Cleveland Browns, Dobbs has thrown for 1,569 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions over his eight starts. 

While Arizona struggled to collect wins with Dobbs at the helm, the 28-year-old quarterback kept them relatively competitive. Three of the Cardinals' seven losses this season have been by one score or fewer. 

Should Minnesota opt not to re-sign Cousins this offseason, chances are Dobbs isn't their long-term replacement. However, he's proven viable as a spot starter and capable of picking up an offensive system on the fly. 

Rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall will likely draw the start under center in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons. Expect his leash to be short should Minnesota strike a trade for another quarterback. 

After that Falcons game, the Vikings don't play a team currently above .500 until Week 15. Despite Cousins' injury, Minnesota's playoff hopes remain very much alive. Dobbs' ability to manage an offense is exactly what the Vikings need to punch their ticket to the postseason.