It’s Official: Vikings Sign QB Kirk Cousins
Sean Borman
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The Minnesota Vikings locked up the new face of the franchise at Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan this afternoon.
According to his agent, Mike McCartney, quarterback Kirk Cousins inked a fully guaranteed 3-year, $84 million contract.
https://twitter.com/MikeMcCartney7/status/974361516811022336
Since taking over as the Washington Redskins starting quarterback in 2015, Cousins has put up very good numbers. He’s passed for at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns the last three seasons. While that doesn’t mean his production will automatically translate to success in Minnesota, he will have a strong supporting cast around him.
In addition to having the league’s number one defense in 2017, there are a number of weapons on offense. The Vikings boast arguably the best wide receiver duo in the NFL with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, a strong receiving tight end in Kyle Rudolph, and an explosive young running back coming back from injury in Dalvin Cook.
The Vikings also feature new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo, who’s known for aggressive play calling. Now, DeFilippo and the Vikings have their quarterback of the foreseeable future.
Contract details
Per Albert Breer of the MMBQ, Cousins will carry cap numbers of $24 million in 2018, $29 million in 2019, and $31 million in 2020.
Vikings QB Kirk Cousins will have cap numbers of $24.0 million for 2018, $29 million for 2019 and $31 million for 2020. By rule, he can be franchised one more time. Would cost Minnesota $44.64 million to tag him in 2021.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 15, 2018
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported the deal could be worth up to $90 million with incentives.
For Kirk Cousins and the #Vikings, this historic contract includes multi-faceted Super Bowl-related incentives that can push the deal to be worth $90 million over three seasons. He gets a $3M signing bonus and a base salary of $22.5 million in 2018.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2018
Related:
- The Vikings completed a trade with the Denver Broncos for quarterback Trevor Siemian.
- VT contributor Nick Olson pondered recently if Cousins is worth the money.
- By VT’s Drew Mahowald: The Broncos expected Cousins to land in Minnesota well before free agency began.