There’s a New Wrinkle for Kirk Cousins’ Extension Talks

Kirk Cousins Riddle
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Before the beginning of the 2023 NFL Combine, Minnesota Vikings fans assumed the franchise was undergoing contract extension talks with quarterback Kirk Cousins. On Tuesday, the discussions were confirmed by general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, with an added element of importance not previously highlighted by the Vikings — flexibility.

Cousins is under contract with the Vikings through the end of next season, and most franchise quarterbacks don’t play on the final year of their deals. Teams generally “take care of” their QB1 before a contract’s final year.

There’s a New Wrinkle for Kirk Cousins’ Extension Talks

Well, the Vikings evidently want Cousins back but seek flexibility along the way.

New Wrinkle for Kirk
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Adofo-Mensah told the Star Tribune Tuesday, “Obviously from their side, they want it as certain as possible, and from our side, we want flexibility.”

“You’re always trying to be solutions-oriented and find a way that works for both people. He has as much importance to this organization and maybe more than I do, so we all have to be on the same page and make sure that relationship works,” he added.

Vikings GM Will Soon
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Cousins is the NFL’s ninth highest-paid quarterback as of March 1st, earning $35 million per season via annual average salary. He’s expensive, and the Vikings have reached the postseason just twice in five years on Cousins’ watch.

Last year, Adofo-Mensah added an extra year onto Cousins’ deal, presumably to see how he’d mesh with first-year head coach Kevin O’Connell, who had ties to Cousins from his days with the Washington Commanders. For the most part, the pairing was a success, as Minnesota finished 2022 with a 13-4 record and an NFC North crown despite a defense than ranked 30th in the NFL via points allowed.

3 Takeaways from Vikings
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But Cousins’ contract extension talks may be a bit different this offseason. In addition to the “we want to be flexible as an organization” wrinkle mentioned by Adofo-Mensah, Cousins’ extension may be more “all or nothing” than last year’s discussion.

In a video posted to the Vikings team website, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero explained last weekend, “I would not anticipate that there’s another one-year extension [for Cousins]. Either the Vikings and Kirk Cousins do a long-term extension that locks him up as their franchise quarterback, or potentially they keep their options open and let Cousins play out this existing deal.”

In that vein, fans should anticipate multiple years added onto the theoretical Cousins extension — or no years at all. It would mean Cousins could play out his contract next season and hit open free agency next March, like Derek Carr’s world tour ongoing right now.

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah who was hired in January 2022 after the club parted ways with Rick Spielman. The Vikings finished 13-4 in Adofo-Mensah’s first season as general manager.

Moreover, Cousins turns 35 in August and might’ve already hit the zenith of his powers. Few quarterbacks not named Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers improve at 35 and up. In that regard, the Vikings likely want to be flexible because Cousins could encounter an age-related decline at any moment.

No matter the verdict, whether adhering to foundational flexibility or caving to a long-term extension, Adofo-Mensah should choose before March 13th, when NFL free agency kicks off. A Cousins extension would likely create the 2023 cap space necessary to sign new free agents, especially on defense.

In five years with the Vikings since arriving in 2018, Cousins leads the NFL in 4th Quarter touchdown passes (51).


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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