The Minnesota Vikings face significant choices regarding the future of their quarterback position for the upcoming season. Determining the course of action with Kirk Cousins will serve as the initial step.
Cousins has proven himself as one of the premier starting quarterbacks during his six-year tenure with the Vikings. However, a devastating Achilles injury suffered last year amidst what could have been a standout season has complicated the path ahead.
During the eight games he played, Cousins displayed exceptional performance. Despite the absence of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson for a portion of the season, Cousins managed to throw for 2,339 yards and 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions. These numbers are particularly impressive considering the team’s lackluster running game. Extrapolated over a full season, Cousins’ stats would amount to approximately 4,700 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Nevertheless, at 35 years old and recovering from a severe injury, Kirk Cousins enters this offseason as an unrestricted free agent. Undoubtedly, numerous teams in dire need of a quarterback upgrade will offer him substantial guaranteed money. For all but a select few teams, Cousins’ recent performance would undeniably represent an improvement. It is worth noting that the Vikings are unable to utilize the Franchise Tag on Cousins this offseason.
However, according to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, the Vikings exhibit reluctance in providing Kirk Cousins with a significant amount of guaranteed money. While this approach may seem risky, it does possess some logic.
Considering the team’s 11th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, they have the opportunity to pursue a quarterback. Although the roster is not flawless, it presents a favorable situation for a highly-drafted rookie. Additionally, the team could allocate the savings from not re-signing Kirk Cousins towards bolstering other positions on the roster. Given the potential presence of a young quarterback, an upgraded running game would be particularly beneficial.
Nonetheless, allowing one of the league’s most consistent quarterbacks, who shares a strong connection with Justin Jefferson, to depart entails significant risk. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah faces a challenging decision in this regard.
According to the Source brobible.com