The Minnesota Vikings unveiled jersey numbers for their incoming players on Friday, May 2, and while rookie assignments typically dominate headlines, a few veteran choices stirred up even more buzz.
Notably, former Eagles cornerback Isaiah Rodgers claimed No. 2, and ex-Cardinals wideout Rondale Moore grabbed No. 4—both desirable single-digit numbers. But it was Sam Howell who stole the spotlight with a bold number choice that had fans talking.
According to the team, Howell will wear No. 8—the same number once worn by longtime Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, now with the Atlanta Falcons. The decision sparked a wave of reactions across social media.
“The ‘we should trade for Kirk’ crowd just fell to their knees,” one fan joked, referencing speculation about Cousins potentially returning amid questions about Minnesota’s backup QB spot. The Vikings traded for Howell during Day 3 of the draft, bringing him in from the Seahawks to address those concerns.
Despite Howell being just 24 and still unproven as a starter, some fans used the moment to take jabs at Cousins’ legacy in Minnesota. “Cousins didn’t do ANYTHING to have his jersey retired, so why not let a backup wear it!” one fan posted. Others leaned into the sarcasm, with comments like “Best Vikings quarterback to wear 8️⃣” and “I can confidently say there’s never been a better QB here to wear 8.”
While Howell still has much to prove and is entering the final year of his rookie contract, that didn’t stop fans from fueling the hype—or the humor. One even asked, “Chat, will this be the best Viking to ever wear 8?”
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