That would likely result in the Vikings restructuring contracts elsewhere or releasing expensive veterans. While it feels unrealistic given the financial strain, it’s also not out of the realm of possibility for Minnesota to let Cousins play out the final year of his deal, which would keep his cap number at $45 million. An extension could get that figure down to a more manageable number and allow Minnesota the flexibility to improve other areas of its roster – like the offensive and defensive lines, both of which carry major question marks in 2022 – while keeping a quarterback with a career 67.1% completion percentage and 56-58-2 record.
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He became the first NFL quarterback to play under the franchise tag in consecutive seasons in 2016 ($19.95 million) and 2017 ($23.9 million) before he hit free agency and signed with Minnesota.Ĭousins’ 2022 cap hit would challenge the Vikings’ ability to be active elsewhere in free agency. Since the beginning of his career in Washington, Cousins has been in favor of signing shorter-term deals that allow him to bet on himself. His contract makes him the eighth-highest paid quarterback, based on an average annual value of $33 million per year. Next season, the quarterback carries a $45 million cap charge that accounts for 21.24% of Minnesota’s salary cap. He received a two-year extension with $66 million guaranteed in March 2020, which would keep him with the Vikings through the 2022 season.Īt the start of the 2021 league year, Cousins’ $35 million base salary for 2022 became fully guaranteed. And the backdrop for that audition is the fact that three of the five games are scheduled for prime time – when Cousins is 8-17.Ĭousins came to the Vikings as a free agent in 2018, signing the NFL’s first fully guaranteed contract – a deal worth $84 million over three years. These final five games of the regular season will serve as an audition for Cousins to earn a lucrative extension with the Vikings or maximize his trade appeal with another team. It could be difficult for the Vikings to make the hire they want if the team commits to Cousins now. Many times, a new coach/front office will want to make its own decision at quarterback. If the team moves on from Zimmer and/or general manager Rick Spielman, two parties who will forever be linked to the decision to bring Cousins to Minnesota, the Vikings may take a clean-slate approach. Several things will factor into whether Cousins stays or finds himself on the trading block, starting with the direction ownership wants to go beyond the 2021 season. That speculation extends to Cousins’ future in Minnesota given he has one year left on his contract. Speculation continues to build around Vikings coach Mike Zimmer being on borrowed time. Minnesota is 5-7 after losing to a Detroit Lions team that ended a 15-game winless streak. ET, Fox/NFL Network) looming, Cousins and the Vikings are at a crossroads. 2 overall behind Tom Brady since that win over Green Bay.īut three weeks later, with a Thursday night showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 p.m.
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Anywhere you looked, Cousins was considered a top-10 quarterback, with Pro Football Focus rating him No. He accepted his head coach’s challenge to be more aggressive, and the results were impressive.
Cousins was consistent with who he’d been most of the season, an accurate passer and dependable leader. The Vikings were in the thick of the NFC wild-card race and looked like a playoff team. In that moment, the future seemed a little clearer. 21, when he went toe to toe with Aaron Rodgers and led the Vikings on a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers. Quarterback Kirk Cousins turned in one of the best performances of his Minnesota Vikings tenure on Nov. Why the next five games may help determine Kirk Cousins' future in Minnesota
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