MINNESOTA VIKINGS SET TO RETAIN KIRK COUSINS AND PLAN FOR HIS SUCCESSOR
The Minnesota Vikings are prepared to make a big financial commitment in order to keep Kirk Cousins on their roster. Despite not being in the market for a top-tier quarterback, the team insider believes that bringing back Cousins is the logical choice. ESPN’s Kevin Siefert suggests a two-year, $85 million fully guaranteed extension for Cousins, giving the Vikings enough time to draft and develop his successor before Cousins turns 38.
In the 2023 season, Cousins had a completion rate of 69.5% and threw for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions before his season was cut short due to injury. The Vikings had a 4-4 record with Cousins as their starting quarterback. However, they finished strong with four wins in his last five starts, including three consecutive victories, before he suffered an Achilles injury in Week 8.
The good news is that Cousins is ahead of schedule in his recovery from Achilles surgery and is expected to resume throwing in the coming month. With his one-year, $35 million contract expiring this offseason, Cousins is set to become a free agent in 44 days. If the Vikings want to lower his $28.5 million cap hit for next season, they will need to consider extending his contract. It is possible that Cousins could command a fully-guaranteed, $90 million contract in the upcoming bidding war.
While the Vikings plan to secure Cousins for the immediate future, they are also looking ahead to finding his eventual replacement. Siefert predicts that the team will select J.J. McCarthy from Michigan with the No. 42 overall pick in the draft. McCarthy led Michigan to a championship, completing 72.3% of his passes for 2,991 yards, 22 touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Vikings would be thrilled to have McCarthy, who is 21 years old, as their future quarterback. However, there is a chance that they may need to act quickly if other teams show interest in McCarthy. Various mock drafts have projected McCarthy to be selected as high as No. 7 overall, so the Vikings may need to consider trading up or selecting him with their No. 11 overall pick.
Vikings May Let Cousins Walk, Eyeing Oregon QB Bo Nix as Replacement
The Minnesota Vikings are facing a tough decision regarding their quarterback Kirk Cousins. With a hefty $29.1 million in cap space, the team must consider other areas of their roster that need attention. This leaves the possibility open that the Vikings may choose to let Cousins go. However, an extension for Cousins would eat into the team’s limited cap space, hindering their ability to make necessary moves in the offseason and future years.
According to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, if Cousins were to leave, the Vikings would likely turn to Oregon quarterback Bo Nix as his replacement. Nix had an impressive season, completing 77.4% of his passes for 4,508 yards, 45 touchdowns, and only three interceptions in 2023. Seifert believes that whether it’s Nix or another option like McCarthy, the Vikings will prioritize addressing the quarterback position alongside bringing Cousins back. This strategy has proven successful for their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
In conclusion, the Vikings face a challenging decision regarding Kirk Cousins. Should they choose to let him walk, they have their eyes set on Oregon’s standout quarterback Bo Nix as a potential replacement. Regardless of who takes the reins, the Vikings understand the importance of solidifying their quarterback position for future success.
