Kirk Cousins has always been an infuriating player to evaluate. There are times when he looks and plays like a top-five quarterback, and other times you wonder why he’s regularly one of the top passers in the NFL. He is currently set to become a free agent for the first time since 2018, and is one of the most intriguing players to watch to see how the process plays out.
Many teams are in need of a starting quarterback. On one end of the spectrum, you have teams like the Bears, Commanders, and Patriots, all of whom are expected to draft a passer in April, which could be a long-term solution , when it comes to Cousins, that’s the other tier of the team. You might try to make a splash. These teams are in dire need of an upgrade at the position, but are finding themselves outside of the top 10 in the draft to take a quarterback. The shared DNA here is that these teams are all teams with playoff potential. if They had more talent under center.
Complicating matters is that the Vikings are one of the teams in need of a quarterback. As it stands, they are prepared to lose Cousins with no relief and may not be willing to meet the QB’s salary demands. One of the most attractive players to hit the market this season remains.
Why is Kirk Cousins’ situation so unusual?
When the Vikings first signed Cousins in free agency in 2018, they made him the NFL’s first fully guaranteed quarterback with a three-year, $84 million contract. This was a huge deal at the time and showed that the team had the utmost confidence in him as their future quarterback.
This contract never reached maturity. Instead, the Vikings re-signed Cousins in 2020, preventing him from leaving the following year, and giving him a two-year, $66 million, full seven-guaranteed contract. Then in 2022, the Vikings went out of their way again, this time re-signing Cousins to a one-year, $35 million deal through the end of the 2023 season. The Vikings then restructured the contract to move money and free up space in an effort to contain the situation, but at the cost of one very big caveat. It was a blank period.
When Cousins restructured his contract, his guaranteed money was moved into the future to ease the Vikings’ cap situation, but importantly, his contract expired on March 13, 2024. This date is significant because it is one week after the NFL’s franchise tag application deadline. .
This means Cousins is still a member of the Vikings under contract when the tag is finalized, so Minnesota won’t be able to keep him if contract talks break down.There is literally there is nothing Unless a new contract can be struck before free agency begins, there are things the Vikings can do to avoid a bidding war with other teams.
Now, there’s another wrinkle to all this. Cousins wants guaranteed money again. I mean, who can blame the guy? For now, he’s playing with complete security that his money is intact while suiting up for the Vikings, and he’s enjoying that security. However, Minnesota’s new front office has never negotiated with Cousins. According to Albert Bouyer, they are balking at the idea of giving Cousins another guaranteed contract.could be worth between $30 million and $45 million per year in the current quarterback market.
Cousins is the best free agent QB in the 2024 class, but not quite there.
When you look at the top quarterbacks available, there’s no comparison between Cousins and Fields. There are two main players to look at after Kirk, but neither of them can compete with Cousins.
The first is Baker Mayfield, who is expected to sign a long-term contract. buccaneers Or play under the franchise tag. Even if he was on the market for a matchup with Cousins, that’s a rough comparison. Mayfield flourished in Tampa Bay under offensive coordinator Dave Canales, but has now left for Carolina. As for Baker, there’s little guarantee that 2023 was the rule rather than the exception.
Then Gardner Minshew, he’s fine, but he’s Gardner Minshew. At this point you know what you’re getting from him. Minshew is destined to be able to play and win games as a forever reliable backup like Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he’s not the guy you can dependably rely on as a 17-game starter. do not have.
That makes Cousins the only safe, true franchise quarterback on this team. And even at age 35, he’s still good enough to lead a mid-major team to the playoffs.
So who runs away to Cousins?
Looking at the league-wide picture, there are two very strong candidates looking to sign Kirk Cousins, and two others on the fringe depending on what other factors play out.
I will definitely run
This really goes without saying. The Vikings are at a point where they need to plan for the future, but they’re not in a position to actually make it a reality. Even if a trade were to acquire a Tier 2 quarterback in the 2024 draft, it’s dangerous to imagine a team could start a player like JJ McCarthy or Jaeden Daniels without a significant drop-off (either assuming it is possible).
This could lead to the Vikings overpaying on a one-year deal, which would create another problem for their cap situation.
There were questions about the Raiders releasing Derek Carr. Assuming Jimmy Garoppolo could be a good replacement was the worst. Normally, a team’s hands would be tied a year after signing Jimmy G to a long-term contract. However, he was suspended for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug regulations. Opening the door for the Raiders to void the remainder of their contract and move on.
This is a team with solid bones. Like Minnesota, they need to find a long-term answer at QB, and while Las Vegas could do that in the draft with the No. 13 pick, it’s also a Tier 2 QB spot. The Raiders have other positions they need to upgrade.
With DaVate Adams making so much money, there’s pressure to find a way to utilize him, and Cousins could do that. Will it be enough to beat the Chiefs in the AFC West? No, but he could do wonders in continuing to establish a fan base in Las Vegas if he wins one game in the playoffs and leave his position with the Raiders.
Escape is possible depending on the situation.
The Falcons are an odd team to evaluate, but there’s one very clear issue that needs to be addressed. That’s not Desmond Ridder. This franchise’s Achilles heel is at quarterback, and while Cousins would be a short-term solution, it’s a hell of a solution.
After all, the NFC South is still wide open. The Buccaneers won last year with a strong defense and a resurgent Baker Mayfield, but it’s highly doubtful they can repeat that. The team’s coaching staff is under investigation after Dave Canales left for Carolina, and Mike Evans could also leave in free agency.
That opens the door for the Falcons. Atlanta drafts No. 8, meaning they can take Jaden Daniels or JJ McCarthy if they want, but perhaps a better play to cement the Raheem Morris era would be to sign a player like Cousins. , combined with the team’s offensive weapons will likely score two points. -Must have three years of conference championships before a true rebuild is needed.
Everything here will depend on how patient the Falcons are.
The team is believed to be all-in on Justin Fields in a potential trade scenario. But when that fails, organizations are left in the strange position of needing to make changes if they want to win.
The Steelers drafted him 20th overall thanks to their playoff appearance. If they want to get a QB, they’ll have to reach Tier 3 to get a player like Bo Nix or Michael Penix, neither of whom are safe enough to take the risk. Additionally, with Kenny Pickett already on the roster, it could be a lateral development.
These teams are the Ravens, Bengals, browns Moving forward in this department must be predicated on an upgrade at QB. Long term, this team needs answers, but for now, their defense should allow them to win with Cousins under center.
If the Fields trade falls through, the Steelers are expected to be active on the market.
Where will Cousins end up?
Minnesota is in the best position to re-sign Kirk at this point. It’s simply because there’s no other choice at the moment. The new front office faces the reality of paying for past sins, but there’s nothing they can do about it.
Unless they make a big hit and decide to trade all the way to get a QB, the Vikings will likely pay Kirk what they want to stay and stick around for another year or two. It’s not perfect, but it is what it is.
