The Vikings have a decision to make this offseason at the quarterback position. And if that decision is re-signing Kirk Cousins for 2024, they’ll likely have some competition.
Pro Football Focus ranks Cousins as the No. 2 free agent in its list of the top-100 players entering free agency in 2024. Cousins was on pace for a career year in 2023, amassing 2,331 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and just five interceptions while completing 69.5% of his passes.
But a torn right Achilles tendon ended his season prematurely just eight games in, and right as it looked like Cousins and the Vikings were figuring things out after some early-season struggles.
Cousins has been the Vikings’ starting quarterback for the past six seasons, compiling a 50-37-1 record while throwing for 23,265 yards, 171 touchdowns and 55 interceptions. The Vikings have made two playoff appearances in his tenure — in 2019 and 2022 — but have won just one playoff game since he joined the team in 2018.
The lack of playoff success has left open room for speculation about his future in Minnesota and whether the team will look to re-sign him or draft his potential replacement. Cap space is a concern for the Vikings as they have other impact players they’ll hope to re-sign, and they will also need to offer contract extensions to players such as Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw.
Pro Football Focus projects Cousins to get a two-year, $60 million deal this offseason.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones was the only player to come in ahead of Cousins. He has 29 tackles — 12 for loss — and 9.5 sacks for the Chiefs this season. He’s expected to get a four-year, $120 million deal this offseason.
Other notable impending free agents that made Pro Football Focus’ top-100 list include Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (No. 8), who’s projected to be franchise tagged. The former Gophers standout has 117 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and three interceptions this season.
Vikings edge rusher Danielle Hunter came in at No. 12 on the list. Hunter has arguably been the most important piece of the Vikings defense, recording 77 tackles — including an NFL-best 21 for loss — and 15.5 sacks with one game to play this season. He’ll also be perhaps the trickiest player for the Vikings to re-sign.
Pro Football Focus projects Hunter to get a three-year, $65 million deal with $40 million guaranteed. The Vikings are projected to have just over $37 million in cap space for 2024, according to overthecap.com.
Left guard Dalton Risner, who the Vikings signed to a one-year, $4 million deal midway through the season, has been a revelation, quickly earning a spot in the starting lineup and paving the way for the Vikings to trade then-starting left guard Ezra Cleveland to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Risner, who hasn’t allowed a sack all season, comes in at No. 65 in the top-100 free agents and would be due a raise, with Pro Football Focus projecting a three-year, $24 million deal.
Cleveland, meanwhile, comes in as the No. 67 free agent and is projected to get a slightly more expensive three-year, $28.5 million contract this offseason.
Former Gophers linebacker Blake Cashman, currently with the Houston Texans, is the No. 81 free agent in 2024. Pro Football Focus notes not only his pass-rushing ability but also his ability to stop the run as well as his pass coverage as improved aspects of his game. Cashman has 93 tackles, two sacks, one fumble recovery and one interception this year, and he’s projected to get a two-year, $8.5 million deal.
Jordan Hicks, another key piece to the Vikings defense this season, also came in the top 100, landing at No. 96 on the list. Hicks, who missed some time this season after developing compartment syndrome in his right leg, has 100 tackles in 12 games and two fumble recoveries, including one he returned for a score.
Hicks, projected to get a one-year, $4 million deal by Pro Football Focus, is likely someone the Vikings would want and be able to re-sign.
