The Vikings’ early playoff exit came as a surprise to many given the team’s success in the regular season, and it has already led to the dismissal of defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. While plenty of questions remain for his former unit, the team’s offense has plenty of pieces in place to give them optimism for repeated success in 2023.
One key member of the offense, quarterback Kirk Cousins, is on the books for next year and received a vote of confidence from the team’s new power brokers at their season-ending press conference regarding his status heading into next year. The 34-year-old’s financial situation could change in the near future, but he is slated to remain at the top of the depth chart. 
“It’s our expectation that he’ll be our quarterback,” general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said, via Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. “I can’t say exactly how [his contract status] would look. Again, we have everything at our disposal. We’ll consider all those things just like we would with everyone else on the roster ”
Cousins inked a one-year, $35MM extension last March to keep him signed for the 2023 campaign. The deal helped lower his cap hit dramatically, though the new figure ($31.42MM) still ranked third amongst all players this season. As a result of the new contract, Cousins is slated to count for $36.25MM against the cap in 2023, and another $12.5MM the following season through a void year.
The four-time Pro Bowler earned a second straight all-star game selection this season, one in which he threw for 4,547 yards (the second-highest total in his career), and 29 touchdowns. His play helped lead the team to a 13-4 record (including 11-0 in one-possession games), making the first season under head coach Kevin O’Connell a success.
The latter echoed Adofo-Mensah’s support of Cousins, saying he was impressed with his “ownership” of the team’s new offensive system. That will inevitably lead to expectations for a repeat of this season’s performance and efficiency on that side of the ball – the Vikings ranked top-10 in both scoring and total offense – with Cousins no doubt playing a large role in the unit’s level of play.
Of course, any moves Minnesota makes this offseason will come not only against the backdrop of Cousins’ deal, but also that of Justin Jefferson being eligible for an extension. Adofo-Mensah added that preliminary talks have taken place regarding what will no doubt be a monster deal for the star wideout. Regardless of the progress made on that front in the near future, both Jefferson and Cousins will be in place to lead Minnesota’s offense in 2023.
If not Cousins, who?
I also support Kirk Cousins staying the Vikings QB so they can stay mediocre.
When he plays bad I call him Kurt so like half the year usually the latter half
2023 was an amazingly entertaining season. Lots of mediocre football and lots of luck. Kirk continues to have a dreadfully slow release, slow feet and a weak arm. He under throws deep so receivers need to make the play while he gets the stats. Diggs, Thielen and Jefferson made Kirk look almost competent.
Next year it might just be Jefferson and a couple tight ends grabbing those passes for a loss or for three yards.
Sadly there is no one on the bench so we are stuck with him for at least two more years.
Cousins is a good QB. Know how to manage a game. Vikings defense needs a big overhaul.
Depending on Arron Rodgers future, watch out for Detroit in NFC north next year
Of course they do. He’s bad, they’re bad, made for each other. God willing they’ll never win a Super Bowl. 🙂
Worse than bad, he’s mediocre. Half the season looks good, the other half, looks like a bench warmer. But that 1st half means ‘re-up him again!’.
Every knowledgeable football person who saw the play call and the pass rush has absolved Cousins of the result. l’m not a fan, but this game was lost as a result of the defense and the OC.
Agree, Cousins didn’t lose that game against Giants
The trophy case remains empty…..
….for a lot of teams.
Cousins checks most of the boxes but he always looks like the guy with a chip on his shoulder.
He by the book and lacks mobility and improv skills. He’s done enough to not be the scapegoat but I bet few kids try to be Cousins on the playground.
Vikings are stuck with his salary next year. Turnover on both sides of the ball will make them unwatchable.
Speaking as a Viking fan I personally don’t have anything tremendously against the guy, he is a good qb (not elite). I’d say our main issues are on the defensive side. Having said all that though, that’s crap hit is pretty substantial for a “good QB.”
That cap hit*
Of course Minnesota would support Kirk Cousins next fall. All he did was throw a 3-yard out on 4th-and-8 in the playoffs with the season on the line. You like that? You like that!