NFL insider drops bombshell report on Vikings’ Kirk Cousins
The Minnesota Vikings have a few major questions to answer this offseason when it comes to their roster. Several hard decisions are going to have to be made as they will decide whether to continue down the path of retooling and becoming a younger roster or run it back with veterans and make another go of it.
The biggest decision that will be made will come at quarterback. Kirk Cousins was playing at a high level this season before he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers.
He was leading the league with 291.4 yards per game when he went down, throwing 18 touchdowns and only five interceptions. Cousins was completing 69.5 percent of his passes as he was doing everything he could to help keep the team afloat after a rough start.
It would certainly be a risk moving on from Cousins, but the Vikings would be able to upgrade other parts of their roster by not re-signing him. However, finding a quarterback capable of producing at the level that Cousins has would be tough.
Certainly, no one is envious of the Vikings’ front office having to make such a tough decision. NFL analyst Peter King also revealed something that makes this an even tougher negotiation for the team, as Cousins isn’t going to give any sort of discount, whether it is the length of the contract or how much money he signs for.
“There’s two great quarterback mysteries in this offseason in the NFL,” NBC Sports’ Peter King said on “The Cook & Joe Show” on January 23. “One is Kirk Cousins. Because he will not go back to Minnesota on a one-year contract."
“A lot of people are going to say, ‘Wow, he’s going to be 36 next year, coming off a torn Achilles. Do we want to commit to him for two years,’” King said. “I would if I were a team. But we’re also talking two years, $90 million, which is excessive. But it’s also the market. So I’m not saying it’s a bad deal or a bad idea.”
There likely isn’t a team in the NFL that has as much information and knowledge about the rehab Cousins has been doing on his Achilles. That should give the Vikings a leg up when it comes to retaining him, should they want to, as they will know how things have gone every step of the way.
Committing long-ish term to a quarterback who is going to be 36 coming off a devastating injury is a hard sell. But, that could be the least costly route for the Vikings to take. Moving up in the draft would cost a fortune and the options are limited when it comes to established, veteran quarterbacks in free agency.
https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/nfl_insider_drops_bombshell_report_on_vikings_kirk_cousins/s1_17150_39861792
I would guess 2/80 fully guaranteed and a no trade clause will get it done. Anything less wont do it, daniel Jones got 40 so…
Mercenary Kirk continues, this should be no surprise to anyone. He's made a quarter BILLION from this franchise and has turned out one playoff win.
Here's a good idea Kirk, go 3 years for $60M, guaranteed and allow the team to have $20M per year to actually build out a team that can support your aging ass to win it all. IF that is what matters to you.
Paying him more than $30M is lunacy and shows this franchise isn't about building a winner, it's about selling tickets
Let him play in Atlanta and not win a playoff game for the rest of his career
Since when is 2 years a "longish" contract? People are idiots thinking Cousins or any QB with his resume and stats last year was going to sign for 1 year. It's not as if he was showing any signs of decline, and they act as if 36 is a drop dead date. Flacco is 39 and looked like he had plenty of arm left. Meanwhile, nobody is batting an eye about Rodgers' or Stafford's viability even though Stafford was rag dolled for 11 years.
It's risky either way. Do they try to work it out or move on, time will tell
The reality is that if we don't resign Cousins, you might as well tear it all done. We're not in the cards for drafting the big 3 QBs. That leaves us at best with Nix, Penix or McCarthy in the draft. Does anyone actually believe they are ready for starting in the NFL? Two years behind Cousins and they'd stand a chance. I guess we could also go after somebody in Free Agency like Mayfield, Minshaw, Tannehill, Brisett or Winston to get us through the short term. There will be a few more such as Wilson or Garoppalo or the equivalent...or trade for someone like Fields if Bears go QB. I'm sure Jefferson would be thrilled with any of those choices.
BTW...PFF has Cousins ranked their #2 rated Free Agent.
Kwazy set this whole scenario back into motion, let’s see what he’s got! Yes, I cringed typing that last line…!!! ;)
@"mgobluevikes" said: Since when is 2 years a "longish" contract? People are idiots thinking Cousins or any QB with his resume and stats last year was going to sign for 1 year. It's not as if he was showing any signs of decline, and they act as if 36 is a drop dead date. Flacco is 39 and looked like he had plenty of arm left. Meanwhile, nobody is batting an eye about Rodgers' or Stafford's viability even though Stafford was rag dolled for 11 years.This.
I can’t think of a single person who has expected a 1 year contract. It’s always been a question of 2 or 3 years. In my opinion, it’s completely irrational to expect Cousins to risk having to move his family within a year.
Getting Cousins under contract is a no brainer for me. He’s a much better QB than the options availabke in FA. That’s why he’s listed number 1 overall free agent wvailable on nearly every listing.,
Of the rookies the we could get at 11, only Bo Nix is capable of starting year 1. That doesn’t mean he should though. They could all use time and Cousins provides that.
Of the expected top guys, Cakeb Williams could start right away, but even then it’s nit ideeal. Maye is not ready at all and it would do him a disservice to push him in. Jayden maybe could.
Overall, easy call. As for money, the market is the market. Also remember, if he leaves vs staying, the cap hit of a replacement added to the dead money on his contract, will probably be similar to what a new contract costs.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the JJ factor. He’s been vocal on wanting Cousins to stay.
How is this a bombshell? And who came up with the false narrative of a 1 year contract? Sometimes shit just gets thrown against the wall to see if it sticks
@"Havoc1649" said: I can’t think of a single person who has expected a 1 year contract. It’s always been a question of 2 or 3 years. In my opinion, it’s completely irrational to expect Cousins to risk having to move his family within a year.Getting Cousins under contract is a no brainer for me. He’s a much better QB than the options availabke in FA. That’s why he’s listed number 1 overall free agent wvailable on nearly every listing.,
Of the rookies the we could get at 11, only Bo Nix is capable of starting year 1. That doesn’t mean he should though. They could all use time and Cousins provides that.
Of the expected top guys, Cakeb Williams could start right away, but even then it’s nit ideeal. Maye is not ready at all and it would do him a disservice to push him in. Jayden maybe could.
Overall, easy call. As for money, the market is the market. Also remember, if he leaves vs staying, the cap hit of a replacement added to the dead money on his contract, will probably be similar to what a new contract costs.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the JJ factor. He’s been vocal on wanting Cousins to stay.
even if he stays, the dead money gets added to on top of whatever his new money is as well, only difference is if he stays they dont have to take both years hits in one season and they can do more cap fuckery to make sure that when he really is done... we wont really be done with him, he will be the gift that keeps on taking.
I imagine the 1-yr contract point is an inference from the breakdown in their prior conversation last off-season where the Vikings wouldn't offer or guarantee any money past the 2024 season. The Vikings had offered to tack 2 years on Kirk's existing deal with 2023 (last season) and 2024 being guaranteed. Then the Vikings would have flexibility in 2025. Since it was only a single new year in guaranteed money Kirk didn't really engage in that.
The Kirk extension talks are very interesting since there are two colliding forces. Kirk will need more than a single year on a new deal and guarantees (likely full) into 2025. The Vikings on the other hand have very intentionally earmarked 2025 as the start of their new competitive window. They have complete flexibility. Hockenson, Addison, and Cine are the only 3 players on the entire roster with guaranteed money in 2025 which is kind of crazy.
Kirk played well, but is that enough to get the Viking to move off what they've setup in 2025?
@"Skodin" said: Mercenary Kirk continues, this should be no surprise to anyone. He's made a quarter BILLION from this franchise and has turned out one playoff win.Here's a good idea Kirk, go 3 years for $60M, guaranteed and allow the team to have $20M per year to actually build out a team that can support your aging ass to win it all. IF that is what matters to you.
Paying him more than $30M is lunacy and shows this franchise isn't about building a winner, it's about selling tickets
Let him play in Atlanta and not win a playoff game for the rest of his career
This
@"Geoff Nichols" said: I imagine the 1-yr contract point is an inference from the breakdown in their prior conversation last off-season where the Vikings wouldn't offer or guarantee any money past the 2024 season. The Vikings had offered to tack 2 years on Kirk's existing deal with 2023 (last season) and 2024 being guaranteed. Then the Vikings would have flexibility in 2025. Since it was only a single new year in guaranteed money Kirk didn't really engage in that.The Kirk extension talks are very interesting since there are two colliding forces. Kirk will need more than a single year on a new deal and guarantees (likely full) into 2025. The Vikings on the other hand have very intentionally earmarked 2025 as the start of their new competitive window. They have complete flexibility. Hockenson, Addison, and Cine are the only 3 players on the entire roster with guaranteed money in 2025 which is kind of crazy.
Kirk played well, but is that enough to get the Viking to move off what they've setup in 2025?
With no proven or viable QB on the roster, is that really a question? They’ve set set up the financial side with no real alternative on the personnel end of things. Kind of smells like Detroit circa 1994.
Moving up in the draft would cost a fortune? Really?The Lions moved up 20 spots for two pancakes and a waffle. We should be able to move up 6 spots for just two pancakes.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Havoc1649" said: I can’t think of a single person who has expected a 1 year contract. It’s always been a question of 2 or 3 years. In my opinion, it’s completely irrational to expect Cousins to risk having to move his family within a year.Getting Cousins under contract is a no brainer for me. He’s a much better QB than the options availabke in FA. That’s why he’s listed number 1 overall free agent wvailable on nearly every listing.,
Of the rookies the we could get at 11, only Bo Nix is capable of starting year 1. That doesn’t mean he should though. They could all use time and Cousins provides that.
Of the expected top guys, Cakeb Williams could start right away, but even then it’s nit ideeal. Maye is not ready at all and it would do him a disservice to push him in. Jayden maybe could.
Overall, easy call. As for money, the market is the market. Also remember, if he leaves vs staying, the cap hit of a replacement added to the dead money on his contract, will probably be similar to what a new contract costs.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the JJ factor. He’s been vocal on wanting Cousins to stay.
even if he stays, the dead money gets added to on top of whatever his new money is as well, only difference is if he stays they dont have to take both years hits in one season and they can do more cap fuckery to make sure that when he really is done... we wont really be done with him, he will be the gift that keeps on taking.
Fortunately, thats not how it has to work. A new deal can spread it out. As an example:After the injury he’s probably going to see a market around $30-35 million. Teams get desperate, but age and injury are against him.
He signs a simple deal with the Viking 2 years/ $60 million. Let’s go with a $30 million signing bonus and $15 million per year salary. The voided cap is eaten by this contract. So instead of $28.5 dead cap and no Kirk Cousins, they get Kirk Cousins with a cap hit of aroud $32.8 million.
Something similar is doable with Hunter as well. His market is around $20 million per. A 3 year contract (what i would do). They could tack on 2 void years and end up with a similar cap number to the past year. Maybe even a little less.
The cap is in much better shape than it was and getting these guys under contract will make it better. With Cousins, they basically left themselves an out (28.5 dead cap) this past year if he declined. He didnt at all, so it would make sense to bring him back.
@"Havoc1649" said:@"JimmyinSD" said:@"Havoc1649" said: I can’t think of a single person who has expected a 1 year contract. It’s always been a question of 2 or 3 years. In my opinion, it’s completely irrational to expect Cousins to risk having to move his family within a year.Getting Cousins under contract is a no brainer for me. He’s a much better QB than the options availabke in FA. That’s why he’s listed number 1 overall free agent wvailable on nearly every listing.,
Of the rookies the we could get at 11, only Bo Nix is capable of starting year 1. That doesn’t mean he should though. They could all use time and Cousins provides that.
Of the expected top guys, Cakeb Williams could start right away, but even then it’s nit ideeal. Maye is not ready at all and it would do him a disservice to push him in. Jayden maybe could.
Overall, easy call. As for money, the market is the market. Also remember, if he leaves vs staying, the cap hit of a replacement added to the dead money on his contract, will probably be similar to what a new contract costs.
Lastly, don’t underestimate the JJ factor. He’s been vocal on wanting Cousins to stay.
even if he stays, the dead money gets added to on top of whatever his new money is as well, only difference is if he stays they dont have to take both years hits in one season and they can do more cap fuckery to make sure that when he really is done... we wont really be done with him, he will be the gift that keeps on taking.
Fortunately, thats not how it has to work. A new deal can spread it out. As an example:After the injury he’s probably going to see a market around $30-35 million. Teams get desperate, but age and injury are against him.
He signs a simple deal with the Viking 2 years/ $60 million. Let’s go with a $30 million signing bonus and $15 million per year salary. The voided cap is eaten by this contract. So instead of $28.5 dead cap and no Kirk Cousins, they get Kirk Cousins with a cap hit of aroud $32.8 million.
Something similar is doable with Hunter as well. His market is around $20 million per. A 3 year contract (what i would do). They could tack on 2 void years and end up with a similar cap number to the past year. Maybe even a little less.
The cap is in much better shape than it was and getting these guys under contract will make it better. With Cousins, they basically left themselves an out (28.5 dead cap) this past year if he declined. He didnt at all, so it would make sense to bring him back.
Hes not signing for 30 a year, and you can play all the games you want, but any new money is added on top of the already allocated money, the only way to lower the current years hits are to push them into non played years and fuck future rosters... just like could happen this year. Theres is no magic wand that makes the cap hits go away, it just gets kicked down the road until it accelerates into whatever year the team finally moves one.
@"FLVike" said:If the Vikings let Kirk walk, moving up WILL cost a fortune because every GM in front of them in the draft will know the Vikings have a proverbial loaded shotgun to their head to get a QB.Moving up in the draft would cost a fortune? Really?The Lions moved up 20 spots for two pancakes and a waffle. We should be able to move up 6 spots for just two pancakes.
Good fucking luck selling ANYONE on the idea of watching “Gardner Minshew” for two years while we wait to see if one of the “Christian Ponders” we reach for at #11 or draft in the second round pans out.
At least I’ll get to happily point out what an absolutely moronic plan it was if this ends up being the option they take. I was right when i said we’d be lucky to win 8 games once Kirk went down (and was ripped during Dobbs-mania) and I’m just as right about this.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:
if Kirk walks, its either Maye, Williams, Daniels or the nuclear option
@"CFIAvike" said:@"FLVike" said:Moving up in the draft would cost a fortune? Really?The Lions moved up 20 spots for two pancakes and a waffle. We should be able to move up 6 spots for just two pancakes.If the Vikings let Kirk walk, moving up WILL cost a fortune because every GM in front of them in the draft will know the Vikings have a proverbial loaded shotgun to their head to get a QB.Good fucking luck selling ANYONE on the idea of watching “Gardner Minshew” for two years while we wait to see if one of the “Christian Ponders” we reach for at #11 or draft in the second round pans out.
At least I’ll get to happily point out what an absolutely moronic plan it was if this ends up being the option they take. I was right when i said we’d be lucky to win 8 games once Kirk went down (and was ripped during Dobbs-mania) and I’m just as right about this.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:
if Kirk walks, its either Maye, Williams, Daniels or the nuclear option
So you are going on record as saying that any QB other than the 3 you listed will be busts?And way to stick you neck out on the over under, the teams star receiver was out, the starting QB goes down for the year, our IOL was shit as well as our running game. The D wasn't doing much and the team had started the year 1-4, so they had proven they knew how to lose.
@"JimmyinSD" said:@"CFIAvike" said:@"FLVike" said:Moving up in the draft would cost a fortune? Really?The Lions moved up 20 spots for two pancakes and a waffle. We should be able to move up 6 spots for just two pancakes.If the Vikings let Kirk walk, moving up WILL cost a fortune because every GM in front of them in the draft will know the Vikings have a proverbial loaded shotgun to their head to get a QB.Good fucking luck selling ANYONE on the idea of watching “Gardner Minshew” for two years while we wait to see if one of the “Christian Ponders” we reach for at #11 or draft in the second round pans out.
At least I’ll get to happily point out what an absolutely moronic plan it was if this ends up being the option they take. I was right when i said we’d be lucky to win 8 games once Kirk went down (and was ripped during Dobbs-mania) and I’m just as right about this.
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again:
if Kirk walks, its either Maye, Williams, Daniels or the nuclear option
So you are going on record as saying that any QB other than the 3 you listed will be busts?And way to stick you neck out on the over under, the teams star receiver was out, the starting QB goes down for the year, our IOL was shit as well as our running game. The D wasn't doing much and the team had started the year 1-4, so they had proven they knew how to lose.
They clawed back to 4/4 when Kirk took em into Lamblow and beat GB. We dont win their often and the team was on a roll.That gets overshadowed by what happened the rest of the year.
But my main point is that if they dont get a deal done before early March FA period, they can go 2nd tier starter and get a 2nd tier qb to draft. But that kid will have to start in most likely 2 years if its JJMc.
That aint going to make the locker room happy, jjefferson happy or the fans.
I dont envy them.
@"Geoff Nichols" said: I imagine the 1-yr contract point is an inference from the breakdown in their prior conversation last off-season where the Vikings wouldn't offer or guarantee any money past the 2024 season. The Vikings had offered to tack 2 years on Kirk's existing deal with 2023 (last season) and 2024 being guaranteed. Then the Vikings would have flexibility in 2025. Since it was only a single new year in guaranteed money Kirk didn't really engage in that.The Kirk extension talks are very interesting since there are two colliding forces. Kirk will need more than a single year on a new deal and guarantees (likely full) into 2025. The Vikings on the other hand have very intentionally earmarked 2025 as the start of their new competitive window. They have complete flexibility. Hockenson, Addison, and Cine are the only 3 players on the entire roster with guaranteed money in 2025 which is kind of crazy.
Kirk played well, but is that enough to get the Viking to move off what they've setup in 2025?
What does "the start of their new competitive window" mean?
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