Searching for clues about Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings? You’ve come to the right place because Cousins was a guest of former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan on the Bussin with the Boys podcast, and he may have delivered some hints about what’s next for him in Minnesota.
The synopsis of his 30-plus minute appearance:
- He’s disappointed the Vikings have so many key free agents.
- He’s looking at his future through a year-to-year lens.
- He discussed his biggest disappointment from the playoff loss to New York.
More specifics on all of those points below, but keep in mind that the podcast was released March 8, but was recorded a month ago on Feb. 9. A lot has changed since then, so it’s worth wondering how much of what Cousins had to say is still valid.
Hoping to keep the locker room together
“We have a high number of free agents this year so you feel like coming back for OTAs in April that the locker room will be a lot different. I don’t like that feeling because I liked that group so much so I’m really hoping we can re-sign as many of these guys as possible and try to keep the group the together as best we can, but NFL stands for ‘Not For Long’ so you know that it’s always changing,” said Cousins.
“I think more my concern is a lot of those guys that I didn’t feel we were lacking are free agents,” he continued, specifically naming center Garrett Bradbury and running back Alexander Mattison. “That’s more the challenge, is can we bring those guys back?”
Cousins also expressed optimism about growing in a second year under head coach Kevin O’Connell and his offense, so that’s a possible hint that he’s planning on being back in 2023.
Free agents that played big roles on last year’s team include:
- Garrett Bradbury
- Alexander Mattison
- Patrick Peterson
- Dalvin Tomlinson
Minnesota also has a bunch of high-priced veterans that could be cut to free up cap space. One of them has already been cut: linebacker Eric Kendricks. Will the Vikings do the same with Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook, Za’Darius Smith, Harrison Smith and others?
At 34 years old, it’s a year-to-year approach
“Right now, we feel yes we want to keep going,” Cousins said, explaining the offseason decision-making process that he and his wife, Julie, go through. “But it does feel very year-to-year in terms of every year what are you going to do next.”
“For me, it’s just trying to win a Super Bowl, trying to win as many games as we can and do whatever it takes to get there,” he adds. “Hopefully that’s keeping our locker room together and taking another big step in 2023 and then, you know, go from there.”
The Vikings have to make a big decision about Cousins and likely need to come to a solution before free agency begins on March 15. Minnesota could let Cousins play out the final year of his deal and eat the $36 million cap hit attached to it, give him a contract extension to help free up cap space in 2023, or trade him.
4th-down throw against Giants wasn’t biggest disappointment
The 4th-and-8 throw that went short to T.J. Hockenson to end Minnesota’s playoff loss to the Giants wasn’t Cousins’s biggest regret from that game. It was the play before on 3rd-and-8.
“Third down on the final drive we got man coverage for a play that is meant to be man coverage,” he said. “The ball was thrown like one foot behind KJ Osborn. If it’s one foot in front of him he catches that, runs up and we’re now hopefully in the strike zone, high red zone with a chance to probably go for 2 and try to win the game right there.”
Then came the unforgettable three-yard throw on fourth down that ended the game and season for the Vikings.
“If I had taken a sack, the optics probably look better,” Cousins said. “But when you get rid of the ball to avoid the sack, then it looks like you’re the idiot. But certainly third down was where I felt like I was the idiot by not making that throw.”
