Questions Answered: Timing of Free Agency Announcements, Deshaun Watson Hubbub, a Cousins Paycut
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today’s is the February 20th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to [email protected].
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
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Q: When should we expect actual news on Vikings free agency stuff? Like releases and things.
A: It’s primetime for any news to hit, especially a trade or “likely to move on” from a specific player.
However, in the last couple of years, the Vikings typically announce the parting of ways with veterans — like Kyle Rudolph last year — in early March. This year should be no different. That means you’re about a week and a half away from “stuff” happening with the Vikings pertaining to the 2022 season.
Simple answer: Within the next two weeks.
Q: I saw a report the Deshaun Watson stuff was dead for Minnesota. Is that true?
A: Theoretically, anything is possible. But, yes, Josina Anderson reported late this week Watson and his agent are not focused on a trade or “which team” will host him next.
We’ll hesitate to say the Watson-to-Vikings is totally dead — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is unpredictable sans a track record — but Watson won’t be a Viking. Not in 2022 anyway.
The team is starting fresh with idealistic leadership. It doesn’t add up to seek the services of a man embedded in controversy.
Q: Is it true Kirk Cousins doesn’t want to take a paycut?
A: It’s true he likely won’t play on an extreme team-friendly deal. Tom Brady is really the only quarterback who habitually “helped his team out” in that regard. But because Brady did it, fans believe their quarterback should, too.
If Cousins is extended, he’ll probably gather $33-$36 million per season, a figure congruent with his statistical performance amid the last four seasons. Cousins’ agent is shrewd, and the salary cap always goes up. Cousins playing at $30 million per season or under won’t happen unless he suddenly feels charitable. And he’s never done that before.
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).
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