Vikings-Kirk Cousins marriage could be headed for an end

This may be the last season that Kirk Cousins plays for the Minnesota Vikings.
Prepare yourself to live in a world where Kirk Cousins is the best free quarterback once again.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Sunday afternoon that while Cousins is on the books for $30 million in 2023 and about $36 million for the cap, there’s a chance he could play in the final year of his contract, which means he’s He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024. Before coming to Minnesota, Cousins had been slapped with the tag twice by Washington.
Simply put, this is a crucial season for the Cousins and Minnesota Vikings franchise as a whole.
From Free Agency Frenzy on @nflnetwork: #Vikings and Kirk Cousins have had talks about a contract extension but nothing is forthcoming, and Cousins is playing out the final year of his contract and heading toward free agency again feels entirely possible now. pic.twitter.com/VYtJ15Fuck
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 12, 2020
While Cousins will have a $20 million listing bonus soon, there’s nothing imminent about a new deal.
This could be the last season Kirk Cousins is the Minnesota Vikings starting QB
Whichever way you look at this, it’s a lot of fun. The Cousins have thrived since coming across the Vikings. He usually makes the Pro Bowl and remains one of the top 12 passers in the game today. Cousins may be in his mid-30s, but he takes good care of himself and his game must progress gracefully as it is not hinged on his athleticism. However, he has a set ceiling.
Although he worked with head coach Kevin O’Connell for a brief period when they were in Washington together, general manager Kwesi Adovo-Mensah appears to be leading this Vikings ship. Apparently one big name after another is being released. This team can be reloaded, but rebuilding seems to be on the horizon, so get ready for that. This is why Cousins made his deal.
Look, if the Vikings are going to rebuild, Cousins might not want to be a part of it. He’ll probably never win or even get the Super Bowl, but staying in the Twin Cities if they reconfigure this thing would certainly lead to a quick end to postseason talks. Factor in Minnesota’s never-ending thirst to have a local star quarterback they can call their own.
In general, the Vikings know what they have in cousins, and he knows what’s in them. It’s been a good marriage for the better part of a decade, but this thing may be past its expiration date and heading for divorce. If Minnesota makes it into the top 10 and rises to the starting quarterback this spring, then all signs point to him being the 2024 Vikings champion over Cousins, maybe even sooner.
The Cousins may have a solid market after this season, but the Vikings are on to something.