The Wrench in Kirk Cousins’ Future with the Vikings
Dustin Baker
|
If Kirk Cousins is not the Minnesota Vikings quarterback in September, it won’t be because the new twosome of leadership believes he cannot lead the franchise to the Promised Land.
His exodus would be about money.
Cousins’ cap hit for 2022 is an unmentionable $45 million, a comeuppance for the Vikings from allocating just $21 million as a cap hit in 2020. So, that $45 million must be finagled. Minnesota can trade Cousins, extend him in a manner similar to 2020, or retain him for a single season while adding void years onto the deal.
That threeway of options is why Cousins’ future has dominated the offseason dialogue since January 10th. One of the avenues will be chosen, and the Vikings fate is determined accordingly.
The “easiest” way to solve the problem — mainly because Kwesi O’Connell and Kevin O’Connell have opined they want Cousins back in 2022 — is for Cousins to extend his contract at a “discount.”
Yet, here’s the wrench — Cousins won’t be taking a discount. Darren Wolfson explained it this week on SKOR North:
Cousins returning to Minnesota at around $25 to $30 million per season keeps everyone happy — except Cousins and his agent, the two men with the most power amid the negotiations. Fans would love Cousins for cheap. The team could add more stars with a semi-affordable quarterback.
Tom Brady allowed this arrangement a few times with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he’s really the only veteran superstar quarterback in the world to play at a lesser price tag. But because Brady did it, others should do it — is the mindest.
It’s not happening, especially with Cousins, a player notorious for shrewd business acumen.
Every step of the way dating back to his time with the Washington Commanders, Cousins and his agent have shown a propensity to maximize his wallet. If he suddenly stopped, his business tendencies would undergo an abrupt change of pace.
The wrench right now for Cousins’ negotiations with the Vikings is money. The team likely wants him to return — hopefully to effectuate a Matthew Stafford-like role in an O’Connell offense — at a reasonable price, something like $33 to $35 million. The market resets, though, and the salary cap will continue to inflate. His agent probably feels $40 million is a fair figure as men like Aaron Rodgers and Kyler Murray will break the bank soon.
When you think about Cousins’ relationship with the Vikings — the new leadership regime, in particular — think money. They’re not trying to decide if Cousins is good or not like your pals. Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell want Cousins back at a sensible value.
If Cousins is traded to a place like Cleveland or Denver, it will be because he wanted more money than the Vikings would offer.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. 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 Also Read: 15 Snap Reactions after Vikings-Lions
You must be logged in to post a comment.