It hasn’t been a banner year for Kirk Cousins and the Vikings. Still, the quarterback says that he has every intention of staying in Minnesota. 
“[I] certainly want to be a Minnesota Viking for the rest of my career,” Cousins said this week (via Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press).
Of course, that’s not necessarily up to Cousins, who remains under contract through 2022. The Vikings don’t have much say in the matter either — the 33-year-old (34 in August) is due a fully-guaranteed salary of $35MM next season with an eye-popping cap hit of $45MM.
Cousins’ stats have been solid since joining the Vikings in 2018, but he’s taken the team to the playoffs just once (2019) in four years. Meanwhile, in the regular season, he owns a 32-29-1 record as the Vikes’ starter.
“Certainly disappointed whenever you’re not playing in the playoffs,” Cousins said. “But really my focus is on the Bears right now and I don’t think a lot about the big picture. There’s plenty of time to do that in the offseason. … When we get to the offseason, get this thing behind us, you have time to evaluate and work through it more.”
No matter what, the Vikings will have to do something about Cousins’ contract given their cap situation. Ultimately, an cap-smoothing extension seems far more likely than a trade or anything else.
Does that mean he’s retiring at the end of the season?
Makes sense that he would say that. Even though you could find players who fit better in the Vikes’ offense, this is the best fit for Cousins himself.
I would be fine with that, at a significantly reduced price. He’s never going to win games on his own but he consistently puts up solid numbers with atrocious play calling and line play. He just isn’t a guy you pay like a top 5 QB. If he’s not willing to take a discount then trade him for whatever you can get.
Who in their right mind would trade for him with that cap hit?
A lot of teams actually, the Saints, Browns, Giants, Carolina, Seahawks (if Russ leaves), and Steelers would all be tempted if Kirk would be willing to restructure his deal (those are just off the top of my head). I’m not saying the Vikings are getting a haul but a lot of teams are desperate for a stat producing QB since just this year we saw bums like Glennon, Cam Newton, and Taysom Hill got starts.
There is absolutely ZERO chance that Carolina would trade for him. Not even the fact that the money is outrageous, but Cousins isn’t the type of player that fits the Panthers system, or their roster. Just becuase a team has a bad record and no clear solution at a QB doesn’t mean that they would just take on any random mediocre, and old, QB. Don’t just throw teams out there to feel like you’re smarter than everyone else, check the situation.
They suited up Cam Newton and Darnald they don’t really have the luxury of turning their nose up to a much superior QB (at least compared to those bums). Unless they’re ok with wasting another year of CMC and running him into the ground I’m going to guess they’re going to be pretty darn desperate and I believe they can afford Cousins contract.
Yes, Carolina wouldn’t be a fit. Also the Browns wouldn’t really make sense, I don’t see how Kirk is really enough of an upgrade to Mayfield to trade for him. Other than that I could see any of those other teams trading for him.
The Panthers system might get an overhaul this winter.
I seriously cannot understand why Kirk Cousins invokes the sheer and utter hatred that he does. Every player has something dislikeable about him (from someone’s perspective at least), but Cousins just angers people. He gets blamed for A LOT, some of which is occasionally warranted, and doesn’t get credit for really anything.
The guy is a good quarterback. He’s better than most people realize. Looking at his numbers and watching his performances is some of those hard fought losses actually validate him more individually than he should get credit for. That’s just my perspective as a non Vikings fan.
I don’t think Cousins is despised as much as Jay Cutler was and he hasn’t been trashed to the extent his former college teammate L’Veon Bell has.
Maybe or maybe not, but that doesn’t mean that Cousins is deserving of the reactions he gets. Bell definitely earned his reactions. But Cousins? The guy doesn’t suck. He’s better than mediocre, as one poster above suggested. Does he need more on his resume to be considered an elite quarterback? Certainly. Is he better than most of his competition at the position? Yes, he is.
Yes! Cousins and Mayfield. Mayfield hasn’t been that good this season playing through injury, but besides that, Cousins and Mayfield have such high expectations that no one notices that they’ve both actually been good, above-average starters. Either could easily win the Super Bowl if they have the right pieces around them – and I think that neither team is that far from doing that and that their respective teams are the best on-field fits for both of them.
Careful what you wish for Kurt
No news here, what else would you expect him to say?
Technically and stat wise he is a good QB. His performance in terms of success is definitely not worth the 2022 earnings or cap hit. Since his contract is up after 2022, this statement by Cousins is just his way of opening up the negotiating window with the team to extend his current contract, to provide him with longer term security while providing the team with stability at the QB position as well as providing the team with salary and cap relief.
Unfortunately, I just don’t think that Cousins has the “IT” factor that is necessary at the QB position for team success. He seems unable to step up and take the team on his shoulders to drive victory despite lapses in play calling, execution, and the defense of the opposition. Time to just let him walk after 2022 – unless Paton is willing to trade for him down in Denver.
Cousins can’t win the big game – thus he isn’t worth top tier money.
Agreed. Packers, Bears and even Lions fans should be happy to hear this.
Well he can wish that all he wants, but he’d have to take a pay cut. Vikes are already $10M over the salary cap for next year and Mr. Cousins is taking $45M of that.
Not a bad QB, but definitely NOT a leader on the team. My opinion only, he lacks intangibles that do not show up on the state sheets.
I don’t think he’s worth $45 million, but somewhere in that second tier just underneath would be good. As far as Cousins being a leader goes…I don’t know if we have any evidence to suggest that. He seems to mostly get along with his teammates, and they seem to mostly be on the same page when running the offense.
He’s no Rodgers or Brady when it comes to owning the offense, but when he’s in and the Vikings are healthy, Cousins and the offense is not so off that it’s nonsensical. He seems alright on the field in that regard. But given the disappointing performance of the team the last year, and the cap struggles, Cousins would be wise to take a pay cut if he truly wants to stay in Minnesota.
Unless they trade for Watson or Wilson (they have 0% chance at getting Rodgers. No way GB let’s that happen. He would have to “Favre” it and go to another team first)?..anyway unless they get one of the first 2 listed they might as well stick with Cousins. He’s an avg qb with great receivers and a great RB. There’s nothing in the draft that’s worth blowing early picks on this year.
Cousins ceiling is the first round of the playoffs. That is about it. If minn is ok with that, sign him long term. Since they’ve never won a SB anyway, it’s not like the expectations are any higher.
With the idea that probably Zimmer is gone and possibly Spielman as well, resigning (I can’t believe I am saying this) Cousins to a 2yr extension is prolly going to be the best course of action. Cousins will HAVE to understand that to get farther, he has to take less money so the Vikings can get a real O line in front of him. The Vikes are basically right at the cap, since Barr and Richardson’s deals are voidable. So if the Vikings can take between $15-$20 million off of Cousin’s cap hit, that opens them up by that much. It’s not a lot, but it’s something. Cousins will have to realize that he got a huge contract with the idea of winning of SB, but since that has not happened, he has to come back down to earth. They could do a lot worse than Cousins. Alot worse. Hunter might need to have his contract re-worked as well, but his cap hit for the next 2 years is excellent for the Vikings. And considering he has not played now in back to back seasons, he now has to have the mindset that he needs to earn back a chance at a large contract. And from what I know and have seen from Hunter, I think he will act that way as well.
Yes, I agree. Not a bad idea at all. If he keeps this level of play, the Vikings’ ceiling is actually very high.
Cousins can play. He’s just not a playmaker. I’m sure the Browns would trade for him if they could.
No way. Mayfield has a much higher ceiling and still has almost as high a floor as Cousins – there’s no point.
Stefanski knows better than to trade for Cousins and his absolutely grotesque cap hits. No one…and I mean no one…is worth 45mil a season to have “solid” stats and not make enough plays to lead a team to the promised land. Time to say sayonara to Kirk. Thanks for coming. See ya!!
Statistically he’s a great fantasy football QB, but he’s not a winner in any way shape or form. I keep reading these articles that he’s one of Minnesota’s greats even compared to Tarkinton/Culpeper etc.. and though not one has ever won a super bowl you can’t blame any but cousins and his inability to make plays as a reason why..