New Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made a noteworthy addition to his staff earlier this week. The team announced the hiring of Demitrius Washington as their new vice president of football operations.
Washington had spent seven years with the 49ers, a stretch which overlapped with Adofo-Mensah’s time in that organization. For the past two seasons, Washington served as San Francisco’s director of research and development, the same title Adofo-Mensah held with the Browns prior to his hire. The pair will now reunite and, along with new head coach Kevin O’Connell, oversee the franchise’s transition from the previous Rick Spielman-Mike Zimmer regime.
Here are some other notes from around the NFC North, starting with one more from Minnesota:
- The Vikings brought in veteran backup quarterback Brett Hundley as a tryout during rookie minicamp, but they made it clear they would not be signing him, as noted by Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press. The 28-year-old hasn’t made a regular season appearance since 2019, most recently spending time with the Colts. Minnesota’s QB room currently consists of Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond, Sean Mannion and Nate Stanley.
- The Bears used one of their 11 picks in last month’s draft to add to its receiving corps, selecting Velus Jones in the third round. The team is high on his speed and versatility, leading to the new coaching staff having “big plans” for the 25-year-old. “Let’s start out at receiver and then let’s see what he can do, moving him around to different spots and getting him the ball, because he is an explosive athlete” head coach Matt Eberflus said, via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. After transferring from USC to Tennessee, Jones produced both on offense and special teams, recording 807 receiving yards and leading the SEC in both punt and kick return yardage in 2021.
- An interesting note came out in the aftermath of Jaire Alexander‘s record-breaking extension with the Packers. USA Today’s Josina Anderson reports (on Twitter) that the Pro Bowler specifically wanted a four-year (rather than five-year) deal. He got just that, helping him to break the record briefly held by Denzel Ward for the highest annual average amongst cornerbacks at $21MM per season, and keeping him under contract through 2026.
New GM & HC yet re-signed Cousins. Same ole Vikings!
Cousins has one more year on his contract, the GM hasn’t signed him to any new deal.
They added 1 more year to 2023. They extended him in March to lower the cap hit this year. Google it rather than debate it.
From CNNSI: The Vikings signed starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to a one-year contract extension, his agent Mike McCartney announced on Twitter.
The one-year extension is fully-guaranteed for $35 million. He will make $40 million this season and $30 million in 2023. The contract includes two voidable years to lower the cap number for the Vikings this season to $31.25 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Why Minnesota didn’t go after Foles as their backup instead of keeping Mannion boggles the mind. If Cousins goes down and Mannion is their starter…chalk up consecutive L’s the rest of the season. Without a competent backup one injury to your starting QB ends your season.
Because they’re hoping that Mond wins the job.