The Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins have reportedly agreed on a one-year deal that will keep him in Minnesota through the 2023 season.
According to the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling, Cousins’ deal is fully guaranteed and will pay him $35 million with a $25 million signing bonus. He also reports that the contract will raise Cousins’ salary to $40 million but contains two void years to save the Vikings $14 million in cap space this season.
Now that that’s out of the way…let’s get to work on a Lombardi #LetsFrickinGo 😁
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) March 14, 2022
Cousins’ future was up in the air as he headed into the final year of a two-year, $66 million deal he signed after the 2019 season. The final year of that extension carried a $45 million cap hit designed to restart negotiations.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that several teams called the Vikings about Cousins’ availability over the past several weeks. But it was new head coach Kevin O’Connell’s excitement to design an offense around Cousins’ strengths that pushed to get a deal done.
More from @NFLTotalAccess on Kirk Cousins’ one-year, $35 million contract extension that locks him in as the #Vikings’ QB for 2022 after recent trade inquiries. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/7kxdqFK9mi
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2022
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to play for Kevin and could not be more excited about the direction of our team,” Cousins said in a statement. “As soon as we return to TCO Performance Center next month, we will begin working toward our collective goal of bringing a championship to Vikings fans.”
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah also added his approval, citing Cousins’ commitment to winning.
“Kirk was one of the first players I called when I joined the Vikings, and it was immediately clear how much he cares about this organization and about winning,” Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement. “High level quarterback play is a prerequisite to building a championship team, and we are confident Kirk will continue along that path.”
Cousins has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in three of four seasons since signing with Minnesota in 2018 but the Vikings have compiled a record of 33-29-1 with just one playoff appearance during his tenure.
With Cousins in the fold, the front office can turn their attention to the rest of the roster. Last week, Jason La Canfora reported that the Vikings were eager to reset their salary cap situation, potentially by trading several high-priced veterans including Adam Thielen, Harrison Smith, Dalvin Cook and Eric Kendricks.
While Cousins’ extension nearly draws the Vikings even, there is still work to be done to help the team become cap compliant by the start of the league year on Thursday.
Now that that’s out of the way…let’s get to work on a Lombardi #LetsFrickinGo 😁
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) March 14, 2022
