It appears that Kirk Cousins’ decision regarding his NFL future, whether it involves staying with the Minnesota Vikings for another season or exploring opportunities elsewhere, will likely be known by early next week. The Atlanta Falcons are seen as strong contenders if Cousins opts to move on.
The NFL’s legal tampering period commences on Monday at 11 a.m. CT. It’s improbable that an announcement of Cousins’ re-signing with the Vikings will occur over the weekend, as he is expected to assess his options during this tampering period. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, both Cousins and the Vikings are prepared for this process.
Pelissero mentioned on the Rich Eisen Show that Cousins is likely to wait until Monday to gauge the market. This aligns with the Vikings’ preference to let him explore his options. A decision is anticipated before the new league year starts on Wednesday at 3 p.m. CT, which would trigger a significant dead cap charge for the Vikings if Cousins doesn’t re-sign.
Pelissero expects swift movement in the negotiations once the tampering window opens, indicating that Cousins will have a brief window to consider his options before making a decision, possibly as early as Monday or Tuesday.
Kevin O’Connell’s comments at the combine reinforce the notion that Cousins will take a systematic approach to his free agency, evaluating the market before committing. The Vikings have certain contract parameters they are reluctant to surpass, and if another team offers better terms, Cousins may opt to depart.
The Falcons are prominently mentioned as potential suitors, with other teams like Denver also in the mix. While the Vikings desire to retain Cousins, it hinges on a feasible contract agreement.
The impending decision is generating significant anticipation as it approaches, marking a pivotal moment in this NFL offseason.
