The Minnesota Vikings have an interesting decision to make this offseason at the quarterback position. After being the starter for the past six seasons, Kirk Cousins is a free agent, and there are serious questions about him staying around in purple and gold.
How much could Cousins get this March? Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press says it could take $90 million guaranteed.
The buzz now is that it will take $90 million guaranteed for two years, despite that he’s still not yet fully recovered from Achilles surgery in November, to sign free agent QB Kirk Cousins. If that’s the case, he certainly won’t get that from the Vikings.
Meanwhile, if Brock Purdy falters Sunday against the Lions, Cousins’ admirer with the 49ers, coach Kyle Shanahan, could push for him.
Your mileage may vary on whether that value would be worth it for the Vikings. Keep in mind that his cap hit could soar above $40 million in 2024 with an extension like this. Would the Vikings pay it? My lean is that they wouldn’t and would go into the season with a bridge quarterback and draft the quarterback of the future.
The other interesting notion was the San Francisco 49ers might be interested. That interest, if any was still left, is probably gone after the 49ers beat the Detroit Lions. It’s been widely reported that Shanahan has loved Cousins for a long time and had, in the past, wanted him to be the quarterback of the 49ers. That ship has likely sailed, but there will be a team that offers Cousins a big contract. Only time will tell who that will be.
