Kirk Cousins to Browns Suddenly a Semi-Real Possibility
Dustin Baker
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Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was hired on Wednesday to lead the Minnesota Vikings in a general management capacity, and his first order of roster business involves the quarterback.
Of course, Adofo-Mensah and the Wilfs (the ownership) must decide on a head coach, presumably within the next week. That man or woman will have an authoritative voice in the room, deciding on the future of the Vikings quarterback.
For better or worse, the Vikings signal-caller is a divisive one but not because of her personality or mannerisms. For Kirk Cousins and fans’ opinion, it’s Nixonian – follow the money.
Per average annual contract, Cousins is compensated $33 million per season, ranking him as the eight-highest-paid quarterback in the league. However, in 2022, his cap hit is scheduled at $45 million, a grossly inflated figure only justifiable for players like Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers.
Cousins is not worth a $45 million cap hit, so Adofo-Mensah must choose to trade Cousins or extend him, spreading out the money over the next two to three years.
Suppose Adofo-Mensah opts to trade Cousins, fostering a brand new era at quarterback – his ties to the Cleveland Browns mandate that franchise as semi-real trade partners. Adofo-Mensah spent the last two years in Cleveland after leaving a seven-season gig with the San Francisco 49ers.
On Wednesday, the new general manager mentioned a “nucleus of players” on Minnesota’s roster, but it is unclear if he considers Cousins nucleus-worthy. Maybe. Maybe not.
Then, on Cousins to Cleveland, factor in Kevin Stefanski. Cousins and Stefanski were coworkers and pals for two seasons in Minnesota, unlocking arguably Cousins’ best individual year in 2019. Stefanski might believe he can win with Cousins instead of Baker Mayfield, who performed poorly in 2021.
A Cousins trade to the Browns is realer than ever before if Adofo-Mensah is not sold as Cousins for the future of the Vikings. He could send Cousins packing to Cleveland while the Vikings received Baker Mayfield and visions of grandeur to heal the man up from 2021 injuries, thus restoring his 1st-overall-pick promise. Adofo-Mensah could also hedge that bet, placing Mayfield into the starting lineup for the Vikings during the final year of Mayfield’s rookie deal (2022) while drafting a quarterback in the 2022 NFL Draft to compete and learn from Mayfield. And that’s if Adofo-Mensah and the new head coach don’t like Kellen Mond. Mike Zimmer sure didn’t.
Adofo-Mensah could tell the masses tomorrow, “Cousins is my guy,” and this could be moot. Yet, if he does not, the Browns have to be classified as a dance partner for a Cousins trade. It all lines up – the Browns can probably win with a QB1 as productive as Cousins, Mayfield needs one more season to prove he’s a legitimate passer (he can try in Minnesota), Kevin Stefanski runs the show in Cleveland, and Adofo-Mensah knows absolutely everybody in the Browns front office. There are flashing lights everywhere on this.
Now – kick back and wait for the decision-making clues regarding Cousins. He’ll either be traded or extended. No snaps will be taken under a $45 million cap hit.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
Vikings Territory: Ex-Vikings QB Sharpens Longstanding Criticism of Kirk Cousins
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