With three divisional games remaining, the Minnesota Vikings are focused on a playoff run, but once the season is done, they will face the same fundamental dilemma that has hung over the franchise for the past two offseasons: who is the long-term answer at quarterback?
Minnesota has already used four different starters this season and has decided to stick with Nick Mullens when the team visits the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis on Sunday. However, neither Mullens nor former starter Josh Dobbs appear to be the answer to the Vikings’ defining question. There’s a chance that rookie Jaren Hall will be, but the team’s hesitation to start him late in the season is not encouraging.
If the choice is limited to players currently on the roster, Kirk Cousins is the clear choice. But he’ll be 36 years old next season and coming off an Achilles tear that would have ended his playing career in almost any other NFL era.
However, given the uncertainty surrounding other potential alternatives at the game’s most crucial position, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell projected on Thursday, December 21, that Minnesota will eventually bring Cousins back on a two-year deal with some flexibility in the second season.
“A reunion with Cousins seems to make the most sense.” “The defense has made enough progress to compete right away, and the passing attack was absolutely humming before Cousins was injured,” Barnwell wrote. “With Cousins’ path to a Kyle Shanahan reunion blocked by Brock Purdy in San Francisco and the Vikings not really in position to ensure landing a top quarterback prospect in the draft, a two-year deal with void seasons for cap purposes would make sense for the Vikings.”
Kirk Cousins has made a fortune with the Minnesota Vikings.
Cousins signed a one-year, $35 million contract to play in 2023, and a new deal is anticipated to pay him similarly.
Pro Football Focus’ Brad Spielberger recently estimated that Cousins is worth a $60 million contract with $37.5 million guaranteed, however he did not offer a firm statement on where the QB may play under that contract.
“An ill-timed torn Achilles derailed another strong season from Cousins, and he looked set to have a host of suitors in free agency, as he did back in 2018,” Spielberger wrote at the time. “Cousins still has the requisite arm strength to throw to all levels of the field and has been as accurate as ever in recent seasons.”
Cousins has made $185 million in three contracts over six seasons in Minnesota. Even if he only plays one more year with the Vikings, another contract will push him well above the $200 million threshold.
QB Talent Level Demand Extension for the Vikings Cousins, Kirk
Given Minnesota’s growth over the last two seasons under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, as well as the team’s present position in the NFC pecking order, it’s difficult to argue against giving Cousins a large sum.
Brian Flores, as Barnwell remarked, has altered the defense in 2023. Even if he goes for a head coaching post next year, the Vikings will have a template for how to play aggressively and successfully on that side of the ball, and they will be able to hire a new defensive coordinator with a similar experience and/or mindset to fill Flores’ role.
Minnesota drafted outstanding wide receiver Jordan Addison in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has lived up to expectations with 9 touchdowns in 14 games. Shortly after, the team signed tight end TJ Hockenson to a record contract. When healthy, Justin Jefferson is probably the best pass-catcher in the NFL and is about to sign his own historic contract this offseason.
Cousins was having the best season of his 12-year career during his second season under O’Connell, leading the NFL in completions, throw attempts, and passing touchdowns (18) through eight weeks.
The Vikings are 7-7 and hold one of three NFC Wildcard positions entering this weekend. Last season, Minnesota made the playoffs and won the division. The squad is also well-positioned to compete for many years to come if the quarterback situation can be resolved in the long run.
Meanwhile, bringing back Cousins, who has stated publicly on many occasions in recent weeks that he wants to return, appears to be a no-brainer.
