NFL Insider Predicts Kirk Cousins Gets $85 Million from Vikings & Kwesi Drafts QB of the Future

By Ezra Greenman |

Jan 31, 2024

kirk cousins minnesota vikings — Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

The future of Kirk Cousins remains uncertain, with rumors swirling as we get deeper into the offseason. Cousins stands out as the top quarterback in free agency, and perhaps top overall free agent, period. But will the Minnesota Vikings even allow him to make it there?

From everything that’s been reported, that will depend on a couple of things. What will Cousins’ demands be, from a money standpoint — AKA: will he consider a team-friendly discount for the Vikings? Projections have been all over the place, from as low as $30 million per year to as much as $45 million.

But much of the decision seems to be on the Vikings. If Kirk is willing to give them a discount, will they offer him multiple guaranteed years. Recent reports suggest that general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah & Co may be hesitant to do so.

ESPN Insider Predicts Vikings Sign Kirk Cousins for $85 Million

But Vikings beat writer and longtime NFL reporter, Kevin Siefert (ESPN), believes the two sides will find common ground at some point, before Cousins becomes a free agent.

Seifert also highlights Kirk Cousins desire to remain in Minnesota, which he’s previously made public many times. Kevin even puts a price tag on Kirk, based on his educated opinion of what he’ll eventually end up signing for.

“In other words, Cousins — who threw 18 touchdown passes in eight games this season — isn’t likely to be seeking a record-breaking deal in terms of average annual salary, but he does want the Vikings to back up whatever commitment they make with guaranteed money. Drafting at No. 11, Minnesota isn’t likely to select one of the top-tier quarterbacks in the class, so it makes sense to bring back Cousins. So in this case, let’s re-sign him to a two-year, $85 million fully guaranteed extension. That gives the Vikings two years — until Cousins is 38 years old — to draft and develop his successor.”
Kevin Seifert ESPN

Seifert believes that Cousins isn’t seeking a record breaking yearly salary but rather prefers a substantial amount of guaranteed money. This approach seems reasonable, especially considering his recent serious injury he prioritizes securing guaranteed funds.

$85 million guaranteed may seem substantial, but in today’s QB market, it would come in below market value. Some may not want to admit it but Cousins is arguably the top quarterback in the NFC, and offers an immediate chance at a Super Bowl for any team that believes they’re a high-end QB away from it.

But don’t forget about the veteran NFL scribe making these predictions, because he didn’t stop his QB speculation at Kirk Cousins. Seifert also suggests that, in addition to extending Kirk, the Vikings will also draft their quarterback of the future.

JJ McCarthy To The Vikings In Round 2?

Who, you ask? Michigan QB JJ McCarthy, who recently won a national title. I mean, if McCarthy is on the board at 41, it almost feels like a no brainer. But Siefert suggests the Vikings may be willing to move from pick 41, back into the 1st round, if they felt it was necessary. ESPN’s mock also thinks Bo Nix would be available at 41, but with Cousins back at the helm, he thinks McCarthy would be the move.

“The Vikings would be thrilled with this outcome, whether they get McCarthy via a trade up into the first round or by having him fall to them on Day 2. Oregon’s Bo Nix was also available here, and he might have been the choice if Cousins hadn’t been re-signed. But with the veteran under contract for the next couple of years in this scenario, the Vikings have a longer runway to develop McCarthy, who is 21 years old”
Kevin Siefert ESPN

If Seifert’s predictions come to fruition, it could present the perfect scenario for the Minnesota Vikings. Extending Kirk provides stability and clarity for the team over the next two seasons, while developing a college champion quarterback to develop behind him. With this setup, the Vikings could contend not only for the next couple of years but potentially for the next decade.