The Vikings’ season took a major, unwanted turn when Kirk Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 8. That injury will shut him down for the rest of the season, the final one on his current contract. 
Cousins’ future has been in the air since the start of the campaign, with it becoming clear talks on a new deal would likely not take place until after the season. Given Sunday’s development, that will surely be the case as the Vikings turn their attention to rookie Jaren Hall and trade acquisition Josh Dobbs under center to close out the campaign. Cousins’ injury is not expected to change the organization’s stance on his Minnesota tenure, however.
“Like I said when we broke off talks the first time, every option was still available to Kirk,” general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “And coming back was one of the really good options we had… All options are [as] open as they were before the injury.”
Both Cousins and the Vikings have expressed a desire to continue their six-year relationship, so it comes as little surprise that both Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell quickly stated their continued commitment to at least seriously exploring another new contract. The former noted that Cousins’ skillset as a pocket passer could limit the impact of a major injury like an Achilles tear. Plus, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com observes, Cousins’ surgery was conducted by Vikings team doctor Chris Coetzee, so Minnesota will have something of an inside scoop when deciding whether to pursue a new contract prior to the opening of free agency. Rapoport confirms that a Cousins re-up is indeed on the table, with Dianna Russini of The Athletic (subscription required) adding that many in the building want Cousins back.
Adofo-Mensah added that talks with Cousins, 35, on his recovery plan have led to the “hope” he will be healthy in time for OTAs this spring. By that point, Minnesota will have needed to reach agreement on a new contract – a Cousins franchise tag would be worth an untenable $52.2MM – or found a replacement at the QB spot. Cousins’ performance in 2023 drew rave reviews from inside and outside the organization, giving the Vikings confidence in their decision not to sell off multiple players during this week’s trade deadline.
With the commitment to a ‘competitive rebuild’ thus still intact, it will be interesting to see how the upcoming Cousins negotiations shape up. His market for outside teams will no doubt take a hit given his injury, but it is clear the door is still open to another, presumably, short-term, Vikings arrangement.
Well, hypothetically, why not? Everybody loathes Kirk Cousins, though I’m not sure why, but the guy just puts up numbers and plays consistently. That’s what a coach wants-a QB that you don’t to worry about. As Green Bay is showing, finding a new one can be difficult. Cousins is smart, puts the ball where it needs to be, and has leadership to put the team on his back if necessary. His issue is not that he’s bad, necessarily. The only knock on him, really, is that he’s not Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. It’s because of that-really, because of all of the contract drama that was really the fault of the Redskins’ management-that people ignore what value Cousins does bring to the table, which more than the vast majority of teams have right now.
In terms of consistency, there aren’t any other quarterbacks right now who are better (except perhaps Mahomes, but even he has struggled in the last few weeks by his standards). The quarterbacks that we rate ahead of Cousins are there because they have extreme big play ability. They either have better arms, or are better runners. Cousins can make big plays, but obviously not like they do. He has to work harder for it, because he doesn’t have the athleticism to force them when they’re not completely there. That said, it’s 2023. The rules governing offense are more advantageous for passers than ever. Rodgers is attempting a comeback an Achilles at nearly 40. Brady retired at nearly 45. Brees did so at 41 (if I remember correctly), and shattered husk of Roethlisberger squeezed a playoff appearance at an injury scarred 39. QBs can play for a long time today, and Cousins relies on his precision and timing to be effective, not his athleticism.
I don’t think that there is a rush if the Vikings are still satisfied with him. Now, that’s not to say that they shouldn’t plan for the future-they need to be cognizant of the possibility that Cousins could regress, even though he left this season playing some of the best football we’ve seen this year (without a run game or a star receiver, as well). There is also the possibility that this year severely inhibits his ability to play next year. But I don’t see why Minnesota needs necessarily to force a move right now if they don’t want to. Cousins was playing excellent football on an extremely deficient roster. Given the poor record that they’re likely to have this year, the Vikings could find some improvements, or even a quarterback to sit behind Cousins if need be. If he comes back well, Cousins could give them a chance to compete while Minnesota decides who their future starter could be down the road.it doesn’t necessarily have to be a top five pick, as their rivals showed (along with the Chiefs, Patriots, and in a roundabout way, the Saints).
The main concern with Cousins you mentioned in your post. He does not do the big plays. That’s what wins Super Bowls. He mantra has always been he wants those around him to make the big play. And I have noticed that this year, his timing on lost passes was off. How many throws have been behind receivers this year?
I don’t see that many of those throws, to be honest, and I’ve seen most of the Vikings’ games. I could be wrong, but I don’t see anything that stands out to me. Then again, I also see a lot of pressure at times, and I don’t count a pressure throw as being a clear miss necessarily. Like I said, though, Cousins does not lack the ability to make big plays, it’s just harder for him to do so. His consistency makes up most of the difference, though. Most of Cousins’ errors arise when he is trying too hard to push the ball or forcing a play, which usually means that the Vikings are down as is.
But we have to recognize the job that he’s done. Minnesota really is not a great team. They have spots of talent, absolutely, but they lack too many pieces to be a threat to the top teams. Cousins has been able to cover for a lot of that as a quarterback, even while missing the team’s best player. Addison has come along much better recently, and most of that is due to Cousins putting him in good situations (along with the playcalling in that regard). There is value in the unexciting part of the game, and even if there isn’t, the Vikings don’t have a clear answer right now on who would start. Why not draft a player who could reasonably start, and not force him into the fire early while Cousins plays another year or two? It could be a viable option.
The four year tear down and rebuild method has not always been the default in the NFL, and I don’t know if it even yields a better success rate than just playing. Of course, right now, retaining Cousins is a very hypothetical discussion. I am playing a touch of devil’s advocate here, though I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily for turning Cousins lose at this time either.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Cousins. But even you said the Vikings don’t have enough talent. They will not be able to make a team paying JJ, Hunter and Cousins.
Cousins reminds me of Stafford. Always big numbers in Detroit, but not much in the way of winning. Went to a new environment and got himself a ring.
Kirk has always been a standup guy and absolutely mastered his contracts! He bet on himself twice w/ the tag and will walk away with well over $100m. Good for him and his family.
Cousins has always been about the money. He’s an accountant with a good throwing arm. Not a leader of men. I’d be surprised if he ever won a big one.
Durable though, until this injury.
Stopped reading at “everybody loathes.” Hope you didn’t spend all day working on this lengthy piece.
I mean, you don’t have to read it if you don’t want to. I’m sorry if I wasted your time. Hope you have a better rest of the day.
And why wouldn’t they? Before this injury he was having YET another great season. I don’t understand the constant ridicule this guy gets from fans. It’s not his fault the Vikings defense has been crap the past few seasons
tangerinepony I think many fans see it as, if you’re not an elite QB than you have to go, when finding those truly great QB’s is very hard and that kicking a solid one to the curb to go chase the next Mahomes will most likely be a disaster.
Justin Jefferson has all the negotiating leverage on his side if the Vikings don’t have Cousins under contract and Kirk is smart enough to know that and use it to benefit his own negotiating position. Either way this plays out the Vikings GM is going to have to pay the piper handsomely.
Will they trade him like they did with Diggs? Drafted another Wr in the 1st.
That’s a good question. I’m sure the Vikes would get a huge haul in return and his value and production probably decline if Cousins isn’t around.
D Adams is a perfect example of that. HoF’er in GB w/ #12 winging it. Miserable in LV!
Their alternative is what? Everyone hates Kirk Cousins but please show me another QB the Vikings can acquire that you know will be better. The Vikings win too many games to draft a QB in the top 3. But even at the top of the draft it’s a crapshoot (Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariotta, RGIII, Baker Mayfield, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson, Sam Darnold, Mitch Trubisky, et al.)
Kirk reminds of Mike Tomlin. No one appreciates Mike never having a losing season in 15 years, just complain about his playoff record. Same for Kirk. His stats aren’t as appreciated as they should be.
Cousins is cursed because he was the 8th QB taken in the 2012 draft and the QBs drafted 6th (Wilson) and 7th (Foles) both won Super Bowls.
Josh Dobbs. He has played decent in Arizona. It is hard to get a real shot at QB in the NFL since there is always win now pressure on every team. Josh will be interesting in Viking colors.
He’s a better QB than people give him credit for. They really don’t have a run game this year, not sure why they let Cook go and I got so much heat from Vikings fans when I said it was a bad decision because they swore Mattison was this great RB but they don’t have a run game, their defense continues to be disappointing and I think they could use some OL help. Cousins is the least of their problems. Unless they find a way to get someone like Caleb Williams in the draft I don’t see them handing the team over to some bum when they have one of if not the best WR in the game and another really good going WR in Addison.
Gentlemen, regardless of the statistics, teams expect leadership from their QB (remember Tom Brady alternating between excoriating and inspiring his teammates). Josh Allen is a more recent version of the Tom Brady will-to-win. Dak Prescott has always done a good job leading the Cowboys offense.
Kirk Cousins doesn’t provide this intangible. It’s possible to win with a dull-as-dishwater and non-charismatic QB. It’s a heck of a lot harder.
Dak? Thanks for the laugh! You do know he’s 2-4 in the playoffs at 30 years old, right?
That’s a terrible terrible take… I’m still laughing I needed a good laugh today lol
I appreciate you calling us gentlemen Alec but it’s probably misplaced…lol. Personally, I don’t think being a leader has anything to do with being loud and demonstrative. That’s more a trademark of fanatics. Bart Starr was a terrific leader for the Packers but he was about as quiet as a church mouse. They had no problem winning league championships with him.
The media seems to have some sort of strange anti-Kirk Cousins fetish. He’s no Hall of Famer – but he is better than half the QBs in this league.
Earl Morrall was another Michigan State QB who got the Rodney Dangerfield treatment. Ironically, he led the Dolphins to the only perfect season in NFL history.
Exactly. But instead of being paid around the 16th most per year, he gets paid almost top 5 (lots of big signing the past year or so), which is a problem trying to put a team around him. So now what? They’re floating that he’ll be ready for OTA’s, c’mon. I doubt he’ll be ready to go at the beginning of the year. Like others have said, he’s been a master at getting paid. What would we need to pay him 2/$70M? knowing he might not even play the 1st year? Vikes put themselves in this corner, just relying on warm bodies instead of developing true, viable backups at QB.
This isn’t a pro or con statement on Kirk.
If you would have extended Phillip Rivers when he played then you would likely do the same for Cousins.
They are fairly similar players. No all pros, no rings, just consistent play year in and year out.
Rivers and Cousins went head to head twice. Rivers won the first meeting when Cousins was in Washington. Kirk got his revenge when he later played for the Vikings.
Guys I have been around so long I saw Bud Grant coaching the Winnipeg Blue Bombers…. Now can people just check out Dobbs stats this year. A win over the Bears, the Packers, the 49’ers… And the Vikings got him for nothing. I am going on a limb and predicting a Vikings wild card this year.