The Minnesota Vikings have a giant choice to make in terms of Kirk Cousins’ contract. The veteran quarterback is a free agent, clearly towards the top of his profession, and missed the second half of the 2023 season with an harm.
But when the Vikings need to be a aggressive crew in 2024, signing Cousins is likely to be the most effective plan of action.
Are Vikings and Kirk Cousins Nonetheless a Match for Every Different?
Sadly for the Vikings, issues aren’t that easy. The Vikings are center of the pack so far as teams with cap space are involved with a bit below $30 million.
That doesn’t go away a lot flexibility in the event that they re-sign Cousins. Plus, there is no such thing as a assure that Cousins desires to stay in Minnesota with some free agency predictions having Cousins signal elsewhere. How can we make sense of the Kirk Cousins contract state of affairs with the Vikings heading into 2024?
How A lot is Kirk Cousins Price?
Evidently, Cousins isn’t going to signal one of many biggest contracts ever. But it surely may shock some folks what his worth may very well be now that he’s a free agent. A yr in the past, the Vikings gave him a one-year deal price $35 million. Even with Cousins a yr older and coming off an harm, his annual wage might prime that worth.
Cousins may very well be in line to earn near $40 million per season. Remember that a dozen quarterbacks have a contract giving them an annual wage of not less than $40 million. Cousins will certainly be in that neighborhood together with his subsequent contract. It’s only a matter of whether or not he will get two or three years and if a crew is prepared to ensure your complete contract.
In the meanwhile, it doesn’t appear as if the Vikings are prepared to provide Cousins a assured deal given his age and harm threat after tearing his Achilles final season.
Who Are Kirk Cousins’ Different Suitors?
If the Vikings aren’t prepared to decide to Cousins, different groups can be . The Falcons, for instance, look like a quarterback away from being a severe contender within the NFC, making Cousins an interesting possibility for them.
The Raiders are additionally a potential suitor with the crew prepared to maneuver on from Jimmy Garoppolo. Groups just like the Giants, Steelers, and Patriots might additionally make a play for Cousins in free company given their stage of dissatisfaction with their present quarterback state of affairs. In different phrases, Cousins has choices past Minnesota.
Does Minnesota Have Different Choices?
On the opposite aspect, what are Minnesota’s choices if Cousins isn’t re-signed? With the eleventh total choose within the draft, the Vikings might begin contemporary with a rookie. Buying and selling as much as one of many first two or three picks within the draft can also be a risk if the Vikings strongly want one rookie over the others.
A number of veteran quarterbacks may very well be on Minnesota’s radar. Baker Mayfield, Gardner Minshew, and Ryan Tannehill are free brokers with expertise and a observe report of success. Kyler Murray is a commerce candidate whereas Russell Wilson might probably change into out there. In fact, it’s debatable which of these choices makes probably the most sense and who can be an improve over Cousins.
The Verdict
Finally, Cousins needs to be price not less than a two-year, absolutely assured contract at round $40 million per season for the Vikings. Three assured seasons can be taking part in with fireplace with Cousins coming off the Achilles harm. Nevertheless, Minnesota could should take that likelihood and simply go for it.
Going with the choice you understand is normally higher than the choice you don’t know. The Vikings know Cousins, making him a greater possibility than bringing in an outdoor quarterback. Regardless of the harm issues, Cousins has performed a few of the finest soccer of his profession over the previous two seasons with Kevin O’Connell.
With Jordan Addison rising as a viable companion for Justin Jefferson, the Vikings have a crew that might make some noise in 2024. Subsequently, it is sensible for the Vikings to do no matter it takes to maintain Cousins and take their shot.
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