The Minnesota Vikings‘ 2023 season was all over the place. However, it ended with a 7-10 record and no playoffs. A big reason for their lack of success was the major injury to starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.
With only one game remaining before the 2023 season officially ends, it’s getting closer to free agency. Cousins will likely be one of those players on the open market, and it’s being reported he is still looking for a big contract despite the injury. What’s the word on the street?
How Big of a Contract Is Kirk Cousins Looking For?
In 2023, Cousins played in eight games before suffering his injury. However, against the Green Bay Packers, Cousins went down with what was believed to be a torn Achilles. An MRI later confirmed that to be the case, ending his season. He underwent surgery just a few days later.
Cousins’ injury ended what was looking to be a fantastic season. In his eight games, he’d already passed for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions. That put Cousins on pace for roughly 4,953 yards, 38 TDs, 11 INTs over a full 17-game season. The Vikings were 4-4 under his stewardship of the offense.
According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, Cousins is looking for a two-year deal worth $90 million guaranteed. “Buzz now is that it will take $90 million guaranteed for two years, despite that he’s still not yet fully recovered from Achilles surgery in November, to sign [Cousins],” said Walters.
“If that’s the case, he certainly won’t get that from the Vikings,” said Walters, considering Cousins will be 36 years old by the time the 2024 NFL season kicks off. Cousins has been with the Vikings since 2018 after spending the first six seasons of his career with the Washington Commanders.
The Vikings currently hold the 11th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. If they don’t re-sign Cousins, they could look at taking a quarterback in the draft. It’s unlikely they have the answer to a Cousins replacement on their current roster, as they fluctuated between Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall, and Josh Dobbs for the remainder of the season.
In his career, Cousins has passed for 39,471 yards, 270 touchdowns, and 110 interceptions. His career record as a starting quarterback is 76-67-2, including 50-37-1 with the Vikings. He’s been named to four Pro Bowls, garnering those honors in 2016, 2019, 2021, and 2022.
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Prior to 2023, Cousins was on a two-year, $66 million contract that was fully guaranteed. This came after his initial contract with the team, which was worth $84 million over three seasons and fully guaranteed.
If Cousins is to hit free agency and fully recover from his Achilles injury, he will likely be the best quarterback on the open market. He will, however, potentially share free agency with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. NFL free agency begins when the new league year starts, which is March 13 at 4:00 p.m. ET.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!