The Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins agreed to a two-year contract extension on Monday, which will keep the Vikings quarterback through the 2023 season.
While a section of the Vikings’ fan base may have groaned at the details, which includes an extra $66 million guaranteed, there may be a silver lining as KSTP-TV’s Darren Wolfson reported that it eliminated the no-trade clause that was in his current deal.
Kirk does not have full no-trade protection with his new deal. The other change from 2018 deal is he can be transitioned tagged. He couldn't under previous deal. #Vikings https://t.co/RduW7qtn4x
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) March 16, 2020
The decision to remove the no-trade clause in Cousins’ contract is a big victory for the Vikings. Minnesota has reportedly done “serious work” on quarterbacks in this year’s draft class and if they find their future franchise starter, that could open the door for a Cousins trade in the future.
Even with the possibility that Cousins plays all three seasons with the Vikings, the ability to place the transition tag on him is another valuable asset. Under said tag, the Vikings would get two first-round picks as compensation if they choose not to match an opposing team’s offer.
This would be huge for the Vikings in case the rumors about a possible reunion between Cousins and Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco are true and protects Minnesota from losing their current quarterback for nothing.
Vikings re-sign Colquitt, Ham
Most of the VIkings’ headlines on Monday centered around the Cousins extension and the surprise franchise tag for Anthony Harris, but Minnesota was also busy locking up some of their own free agents.
The Vikings and C.J. Ham agreed to a four-year deal on Monday that makes him the second-highest paid fullback in the NFL. The deal is worth $12.25 million over the life of the contract including $4 million in 2020.
In addition, the Vikings reportedly agreed to terms with punter Britton Colquitt. According to the Star Tribune’s Andrew Krammer, the deal is for three years and worth $9 million with $5 million guaranteed.
