When the Minnesota Vikings moved on from Kirk Cousins, it was largely due to the process the veteran quarterback has always followed. Despite never truly elevating those around him, he has consistently been good enough to get paid,
One More Contract Could Move Cousins Past Tom Brady
Cousins left the Vikings to chase an absurd payday offered by the Atlanta Falcons. It was logical and sensible. It also very expectedly did not work out. Now a cut candidate, he could reverse course and challenge the narrative.
Last offseason, it was reported that Aaron Rodgers wanted to join the Minnesota Vikings and was willing to do it on the cheap. He signed with Pittsburgh for more than $13 million after Minnesota rebuffed his (and Dianni Russini’s) advances. He, too, is a free agent this offseason, and it should be expected that the same desire to play in Kevin O’Connell’s offense exists.
Kirk Cousins has already played in said offense, and he has a level of rapport with the organization. Whereas Minnesota rebuffed the opportunity to complete Brett Favre’s career arc once again, Cousins represents an opportunity to bring a welcomed veteran home. The question becomes whether or not he’ll stand in the way of it happening.
The Atlanta Falcons are going to pay Cousins not to play for them. That sets up a situation where his contract should be far down the list of his concerns. With a guy constantly chasing the bag, though, that’s unlikely ever to be the case. Minnesota probably will have interest in bringing their former starter home, but anything north of what Rodgers played for last season should be laughed at.
Cousins once laughably said, “It’s not about the dollars, but it is about what the dollars represent.” That’s a mindset he’s carried throughout his career, and it’s earned him generational wealth. Expecting him to turn that off seems like a long shot, but it would also showcase an ability to read the room.
You can bet that the Vikings will be projected to land Cousins until he signs elsewhere. It’s a logical assessment until the contract demands get in the way, and that’s something that he’s completely in control of.
