Kirk Cousins isn’t going to leave the Vikings in the dark during the first few days of NFL free agency.
The Vikings expect to hear from Cousins by Sunday night about whether he intends to return or explore the free agency market. According to The Athletic.
The 35-year-old quarterback is the league’s No. 1 free agent in the Post’s Top 30 rankings, compiled with the help of sources.
It’s important for the Vikings, and other teams, to know Cousins’ plans because his contract doesn’t expire until Wednesday, giving him two days of free agent negotiations before he can agree to a deal with another team. It is.
If Cousins doesn’t intend to re-sign with the Vikings, they may want to pivot to acquiring Russell Wilson, Baker Mayfield, or another free agent.
If Cousins isn’t willing to test the market, other teams, primarily the Falcons, will need to develop a Plan B that involves trading Justin Fields.
The Vikings and Cousins were still in talks as of last weekend, and a reunion remains a possibility. According to ESPN. According to the same report, Minnesota has made an offer, but “there may be limits.”
Cousins is a master of maximizing career value through his franchise tag with Washington, earning him the first fully guaranteed contract in the salary cap era with a three-year, $84 million deal in 2018.
He played last season on a one-year, $35 million contract that expires Wednesday, increasing his total salary to $185 million over six years in Minnesota.
The Vikings could bring Cousins closer to his family, provide fan-favorite All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson with an opportunity to continue throwing.
The Falcons, who are in winning mode under new head coach Raheem Morris, are considered the biggest threat to poaching Cousins.
Morris coached Cousins on defense when he was a starter in Washington.
