The Vikings’ quarterback situation beyond 2023 remains a key talking point, since Kirk Cousins is entering the final year of his contract. If the veteran signal-caller has his way, the coming season will not be he last with the team. 
“I want to be in Minnesota,” Cousins said, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. That’s kind of a no-brainer. Hopefully, we can earn the right to do that.”
Cousins, 34, will carry a cap hit of $20.25MM this year, after he agreed to a simple restructure of his contract. That came in place of another extension, leading to speculation regarding the Vikings’ potential to select a potential successor in the draft. That didn’t come to fruition, however, and the team remains open to another deal in the future.
The former fourth-rounder has done quite well for himself financially while playing on short-term contracts throughout his career. Cousins has remained consistent in his performances with the Vikings, and earned his second straight (and fourth overall) Pro Bowl nod in 2022. He helped guide an offense which ranked seventh in yardage and eighth in scoring en route to a 13-4 record, but Minnesota fell short in the first round of the playoffs. That extended their (and Cousins’) postseason struggles and the presumed upside of moving in a different direction under center next year.
Cousins would represent a notable free agent if he were to hit the market, and Minnesota’s continued strength (at least on the offensive side of the ball) suggests a repeat of last year’s record could be in reach. That could take the Vikings out of contention for one of the top passers in what is expected to be a celebrated 2024 QB draft class. A new Cousins contract could also alter the $28.5MM cap hit he is scheduled for as a result of void years on his current deal. He would welcome the opportunity to continue his Vikings tenure beyond what will be its sixth year in no small part due to his confidence in his ability to remain productive deep into his career.
“I’m encouraged and excited,” Cousins added, “because I do feel like I’ve got a lot of good football ahead of me.”
Time for Minnesota to start over at QB
13 & 4 is good to me. Let’s roll KC!
They pay him stupid money, why would he leave
This is a tough one.. when he first signed everyone including me were like “are you kidding?” “That much?” And honestly it’s what broke up the team and it’s momentum. Not anything to do with his play, but the fact Zimmer was building a champion with an avg QB before his arrival and a lot of us wonder what would’ve happened had they stuck with a guy in the 8-15mil range and spent the rest on that D, etc. Cousins arrival spelled the end of Zimmer. But as years went by he was the I play decent and make top market value guy. The Vikes certainly don’t need to fork out 40 mil for this guy next year unless they go all the way. (Very very small chance) their schedule is a lot tougher this year, if they get to 10 wins it would be a success. Although they should beat up the NFC North so division champs is still likely. What I really love about this article is Kirk saying “Hopefully we EARN THE RIGHT to be here”. He knows what’s up. He’s a dork, I’ve learned to like him alright but this really is the go far or go home year.
I’m not a cousin’s fan, but the fact that the defensive minded Zimmer always seemed to want/need a bunch of money spent on defensive players always irked me. If he was such a great defensive mind then he should have been able to do more with less by coaching and scheming but that wasn’t really what happened.
He had high end defensive players that cost a bunch of money. The defense was good and at times great but was never really elite.
If he wants to stay, should take $15M a year and allow the team to use the money to fill holes elsewhere.
He’s the 13th highest paid qb. Probably about where he belongs
@szc55 / Should plant managers or engineers at a company be expected to take pay cuts because the Human Resources department can’t hire good employees to work the assembly line?
There’s taking an under market value like Tom Brady did and then there’s what you’re suggesting which just won’t happen. The players association wouldn’t be happy and the league wouldn’t be happy. The days of starting caliber QBs earning 15m a year are long gone and you look silly suggesting it. Closer to 30m a year would be a good deal for the Vikings and would match up well with his production.