It’s a Bittersweet Kirk Cousins Update
Before too long, the Minnesota Vikings’ first offseason domino will fall, probably sometime in February.
It could be Justin Jefferson’s contract extension, an announcement on Harrison Smith’s 2024 status, an update on Danielle Hunter’s future — or a decision on Kirk Cousins, who is scheduled to hit free agency.
It’s a Bittersweet Kirk Cousins Update
If it’s Cousins, well, Vikings fans digested a bittersweet update on Friday: Cousins’ recovery is ahead of schedule, but nobody knows which team he’ll play for in 2024.
In a video posted to X, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said, “I’m told he is ahead of schedule in his recovery from the Achilles. He’s actually going to be throwing before the Combine next month.”
Cousins tore his Achilles tendon at Lambeau Field on October 29th, a win for the Vikings but a loss for the season’s remainder. The man was on pace for a mammoth season, including MVP-like numbers, yet Minnesota finished the season with a 3-6 record sans Cousins.
And because Cousins and the Vikings’ front office couldn’t reach an extension on a contract agreement last summer, the two parties are set to chat again as early as now. As of January 26th, the situation could truly break either way: Cousins could play for the Vikings for a couple more years or bolt for a team like the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, or New England Patriots.
Pelissero added about Cousins’ future, “Everything is tracking in a good direction for Kirk Cousins to be fully ready to roll for the Vikings, or whoever he might be with in 2024.”
Normally when confronted with questions about his future, Cousins stands on business and states his commitment to the Vikings. In fact, a reporter asked him about a trade last October, and he became visibly disgruntled. This offseason, however, Cousins seems more open to a third chapter.
CBS Sports’ Isabel Gonzalez asked Cousins point-blank last week if he’d play for Belichick, and his answer was surprisingly straightforward. “I’m not going to turn down an opportunity to play with a future Hall of Fame coach, but we’ll have to see where March leads, there’s just a lot of unknowns right now,” Cousins replied.
Belichick won’t coach the Falcons — Raheem Morris was hired for the job on Thursday — but a Belichickless Atlanta squad can still be in play for Cousins’ services. We shall see. The Steelers, too, may be only a productive quarterback away from an AFC Championship game run.
The Vikings, of course, would need a quarterback if Cousins dipped, probably using the 2024 NFL Draft to select a passer. Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Bo Nix (Oregon) are expected to go off the board in Round 1.
Some have suggested that Minnesota could also explore a trade at quarterback for a player like Justin Fields if the Chicago Bears stand pat and draft Caleb Williams in April.
Cousins will turn 36 in August. John Elway was the only quarterback who began winning Super Bowls at the age of 36 or older.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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