The Minnesota Vikings appear closer to a decision on quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The 34-year-old veteran, coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons, is entering the final year of his contract. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Sunday the two sides have talked about an extension this offseason, but he senses the Vikings might be content to let Cousins play out his contract and be a free agent after next season.
“The Vikings have made it clear they’re trying to come to a solution that works for both parties in a contract extension,” Garafolo reported on NFL Network. “Now there have been discussions, but I can tell you, there is nothing imminent right now.
“Now he’s got a roster bonus of $20 million that will be earned later this week, and is due to be paid $15 million of it next week. So that’s sort of a soft deadline to get something done, but I’m not sensing any momentum toward that. It is quite possible that he plays out the last year of his deal, and when we’re sitting here next year for free agency frenzy, we might once again be talking about Kirk Cousins being a free agent.”
From Free Agency Frenzy on @nflnetwork: The #Vikings and Kirk Cousins have had talks about a contract extension but nothing is imminent and Cousins playing out the last year of his contract and heading toward free agency once again feels quite possible right now. pic.twitter.com/VYtJ15Fuck
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2023
Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talked to reporters at the recent NFL Scouting Combine about Cousins’ status, saying, “He has as much importance to this organization and maybe more than I do.” Yet he conceded Cousins is looking for certainty in his deal, and the Vikings want flexibility.
Some NFL fans say they’ve already seen the writing on the wall, that the Vikings are ready to move on.
It’s really nothing we all didn’t know already. Kirk has to agree to any trade, he’s fine betting on himself once again, and Vikings would get nothing letting him walk next off-season. Outside of emotional bents how does that make any sense.
— Thesavvyninja (@thesavvyninja) March 12, 2023
TRADE HIM, PLEASE 🙏🏾😭 @Vikings
— Solo Dino (@SoloDino612) March 12, 2023
This is the right move. Even if some of the fans can’t see it
— Nick Jones (@Forever_Hygh) March 12, 2023
Cousins should sign a new contract in Minnesota. Create some cap space and finish career with team that has time again proved they wanted him.Dudes made plenty of money betting on himself.
— Chip (@ChipSkol) March 12, 2023
Cousins will never take them to a Super Bowl. They need a fresh start at QB
— NFL Nexus (@NFLNexus) March 12, 2023
Extend the man @T_Schweder
— Jordan Whitworth (@JayDubbin) March 12, 2023
