Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is eager to determine his future playing plans, expressing a desire to initiate contract negotiations with the Vikings or any other interested teams for the 2024 season and beyond. In an interview with Sky Sports NFL, Cousins disclosed that despite inquiries from friends and family, conversations about his contract typically commence in March, and he would prefer to kick-start those discussions sooner.
Cousins clarified that he wasn’t criticizing the Vikings or potential destinations like the Atlanta Falcons for not engaging in negotiations thus far. He acknowledged that Atlanta would violate league rules if they negotiated with him before March 11, just two days before the official start of free agency on March 13.
While other teams are restricted from negotiating until March, Minnesota holds a significant advantage as they can negotiate an extension with Cousins up until March 11 and beyond. Despite the possibility of other teams bending the rules, the Vikings have an extended negotiation window, providing them with an advantage in re-signing Cousins.
Cousins, in his interview, conveyed a sense of waiting patiently, highlighting that he is currently focused on rehabilitation and has to wait until the first weeks of March to engage in contract discussions.
The Vikings face a complex situation regarding Cousins’ contract in 2024. To retain Cousins, the team is looking at a substantial financial commitment, with reports suggesting guarantees exceeding $90 million over two years. Spotrac projects Cousins’ market value at $39.3 million annually over a new three-year deal, a figure that might require significant guarantees from Minnesota.
Considering Cousins’ age (36) and his recent Achilles rupture, there are uncertainties surrounding the viability of a long-term deal with such substantial guaranteed money. The decision to bring Cousins back also poses challenges for the Vikings in terms of finding a younger quarterback with a more reasonable contract, aligning with the team’s youthful talent in the pass-catching corps.
If the Vikings allow Cousins’ contract to void, they face a substantial dead cap hit of $28.5 million in 2024, impacting their ability to compete in the NFC North Division. The dilemma includes weighing the cost of keeping Cousins against the potential benefits of selecting a young quarterback in the upcoming draft, with implications for the team’s ability to build its defense and offensive line through the draft. The decision is further complicated by the Vikings’ current draft position at No. 11 overall. Choosing a top quarterback prospect might require significant draft capital, potentially impacting the team’s long-term strategy. Alternatively, selecting a second-tier quarterback in a deep class could still lead to the end of Cousins’ tenure in Minnesota due to contract demands. The choice between these options will likely be influenced by the team’s overall strategy and the vision of their analytics-based general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
