Read More:

• How Much is Justin Jefferson Going to Cost and Will New Contract Handcuff Vikings?
• Cutting Alexander Mattison Won’t Help Vikings’ Cap “Problems”
• Vikings Can Sign Cousins, Jefferson and Hunter with Plenty of Room to Spare

I’m not a salary cap expert but that’s ok. You don’t need to be. While NFL contracts and their relationship to the salary cap can get very confusing and complex, the overall practice of tracking, projecting and estimating future money situations for each team isn’t rocket science, like some would like you to think. Not in 2024, with the internet and cap tools available to the public.

To Kirk Cousins or not Kirk Cousins…

I’ve never met The Athletic’s Alec Lewis and he’s not (yet) a reporter who breaks a lot of Vikings news around town. But he’s a really good writer and, even more importantly, he’s a thinker; two things I always appreciate. And on Thursday morning, Lewis put out his latest column, which focused on Kirk Cousins and whether or not it makes sense for the Vikings to bring him back for next season and beyond.

Part of his focus is on Kirk’s relationship to the salary cap in future years. Remember, if Cousins is not on the roster in 2024, the Vikings pay a dead cap charge of $28.5 million anyway, which is ROUGHLY the same amount he will cost against the cap if he signs a new multi-year deal.

In other words, the Vikings are paying for Kirk Cousins to be their QB next season, whether he’s actually the person doing that job, or not. So the biggest money concerns surrounding Cousins has to do with the salary cap beyond 2024.

Minnesota Vikings salary cap future beyond 2024 looks… bright

But guess what Alec realized while writing his piece. The Vikings don’t have any cap concerns beyond 2024… even if they sign and extend Kirk, JJ and Danielle.

Future salary-cap space: The Vikings have about $20 million in effective cap space, according to Over The Cap, which is a figure that projects how much cap space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class. The Lions and Bears are expected to have more. All four NFC North teams have ample room in 2025, even if player extensions will affect that flexibility.

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

So let’s take a look, shall we? After a quick check over at Spotrac.com, it’s very clear how much space the Minnesota Vikings have available in 2025 and beyond, which as of Thursday, January 25, 2024, is nearly $150 million.

Of course, that space will be eaten up pretty quickly, not just in player contracts, but in dead cap hits and whatever else can be charged to a team’s salary cap each season. But there’s no doubt that Kirk Cousins, Justin Jefferson and Danielle Hunter can easily fit into that picture, not just in 2024, but beyond.

The more and more we dive into the Vikings offseason picture, both in 2024 and beyond, it becomes more and more clear that salary cap problems won’t be something that holds them back. If they somehow decide that blowing everything up and starting over brand new is the best option to grow a Super Bowl contender, then fine. That’s not illogical.

A full rebuild doesn’t make sense for Wilfs

But, if salary cap constraints aren’t forcing the Vikings into a rebuild (which they clearly are not), then why would the Wilfs do it? They’ve never wanted to rebuild before and they have arguably a top-5 quarterback who wants to play for them, not to mention the best wide receiver in the NFL.

Related: 3 Reasons Why Re-signing Kirk Cousins is Obvious Move for Vikings

It’s easy to be pessimistic about the short-term and demand a full rebuild, when your money isn’t on the line. But in all reality, being competitive is what makes the Wilfs money. The Vikings are the most relevant and most important, money-making team in town. It doesn’t make sense to put that at risk unless it absolutely makes the most long-term sense.

…the climb toward contention in 2024 feels steep. But will that feeling, loaded with uncertainty, force a shift in the Vikings’ team-building approach? Unless ownership shifts its course, one it has charted for nearly two decades, the answer is probably no.

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

The Wilfs do not NEED a Super Bowl for their business model to be successful. So why, in a world where other options probably make more sense, both football-wise and business-wise, would we expect the Wilfs to tear this whole operation down? That’s never been their thought process before and it’s highly unlikely it will be now.

Minnesota Vikings‘ rookies are expected to report to Eagan later this week amidst many issues in regards to how players will prepare for the season while COVID-19 is still ravaging the nation. Now, one issue surrounding the team is apparently being solved. Until today, only one of the 15 players selected by the Vikings in April’s draft was under contract: Nate Stanley. Now, more rookies are getting their contracts finalized by the team as they begin to report to Eagan. Justin Jefferson and Troy Dye signings came this morning.

Justin Jefferson, WR

The Minnesota Vikings began completing their contracts with their draft class this morning, by officially signing heralded first-round WR Justin Jefferson to his fully guaranteed rookie deal. The contract will reportedly give him roughly $13 million over the duration of 4 years.

New #Vikings WR Justin Jefferson will get an estimated four-year, $13.12 million contract, which includes about a $7.1 million signing bonus. He will count about $2.38 million on the salary cap in 2020. He will have a fifth-year contract option.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) April 24, 2020

Justin Jefferson had been working out in town since June, but had yet to sign his deal because he had not been able to receive a physical. Now, he is under contract and able to focus on mastering working in the slot and on the outside.

Two members of Minnesota’s 15-player draft class have signed their rookie deals with 1st round WR Justin Jefferson joining 7th round QB Nate Stanley this morning. Rookies are starting to roll into Eagan so expect to see quite a few more of these in the coming days. https://t.co/uwHXprzAH8

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) July 22, 2020

Troy Dye, LB

Later in the morning, the Vikings were also able to strike a deal with their 4th-round pick, Oregon LB Troy Dye. He will also report to Eagan on Thursday.

Updated story with linebacker Troy Dye, a fourth-round pick, having agreed to contract terms with the #Vikings, joining first-round pick Justin Jefferson, who also has agreed. https://t.co/mV8Em8XCDq

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 22, 2020

Ezra Cleveland, OL

This afternoon, Minnesota Viking’s second-round pick from Boise State, OL Ezra Cleveland, has signed his deal with the Minnesota Vikings. The contract will net the rookie around $5.5 million in his first four years.

Source says #Vikings second-round pick Ezra Cleveland has agreed to his contract. He gets $5.537 million over four years with $3.058 million guaranteed. His signing bonus is $1.587 million.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 22, 2020

James Lynch, DT

James Lynch, a defensive tackle from Baylor, was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 4th round this spring. Now, Lynch has put the pen to paper and inked his four-year contract with Minnesota. The deal will net him nearly $4 million total.

#Vikings rookie 4th round pick DT James Lynch is putting pen to paper, too. 4-years, $3,985,992, with a $690,992 signing bonus. Still think as the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year that he was a steal on Day 3.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) July 22, 2020

KJ Osborn, WR

The Minnesota Vikings selected KJ Osborn, WR from the University of Miami in the fifth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Have not heard official contract details at this time.

Official. ?@Vikings

– Proverbs 18:16 ??#Blessed #skolvikings pic.twitter.com/z5Q4ZsZxlf

— KJ Osborn (@KJ_Osborn) July 22, 2020

D.J Wonnum, DE

The Vikings grabbed Wonnum in the fourth round to bolster their defensive line. His contract was reported later in the afternoon and was one of the latest Vikings to sign.

Source says #Vikings fourth-round pick, DE D. J. Wonnum, on track to sign. He'll get a four-year, $4.046 million deal, including a $750,780 signing bonus. He'll count $797,695 on 2020 salary cap.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 22, 2020

Kyle Hinton, OL

Hinton was added in the seventh round give the Vikings some additional depth on their offensive line. He won’t hurt the cap much, which is important for a Vikings team that really has no salary cap space.

#Vikings seventh-round pick, offensive lineman Kyle Hinton, has agreed to terms. It's a four-year, $3.37 million deal, including a $75,492 signing bonus. He will count $628,873 on the 2020 salary cap.

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 22, 2020

To recap 15 #Vikings draftees, at least 8 locked up:
SIGNED
QB Nate Stanley (seventh round)
AGREED TO TERMS
WR Justin Jefferson (first)
OT Ezra Cleveland (second)
DE D.J. Wonnum (fourth)
DT James Lynch (fourth)
LB Troy Dye (fourth)
WR K.J. Osborn (fifth)
OL Kyle Hinton (seventh)

— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) July 22, 2020

While it is surely strange that it took this long to sign all of these rookies, the entire offseason with COVID has been strange, so it’s right on par. Now, these guys can report to work and have the financial security of being with the team. Plus, passing thier physicals gives both sides more comfort.

Evidently, it has been difficult for many rookies across the league to get acclimated with their teams. But by Thursday, many of the Minnesota Vikings’ 15 draft picks will sign and be ready to go. This rookie class has massive potential and will surely be counted on to help the Vikings remain a contender.

Ameer Eldomiatti | Minnesota Sports Fan

Will be a big few months for RBs from ‘17 draft class trying to bolster position. Vikings’ Dalvin Cook and Bengals’ Joe Mixon have had productive talks with their teams about new deals, I’m told, though nothing is close at this time. Saints value Alvin Kamara. Others waiting, too pic.twitter.com/s6VfTKj9x9

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 18, 2020

This is good news. No, this is GREAT news for Vikings fans! Dalvin Cook (barring injury) is a “Bell Cow” running back for Minnesota, something the Vikings have been missing since the departure of Adrian Peterson after the 2016 season.

The Vikings can go one of two ways.. 

Option 1

Sign Dalvin Cook to a massive contract extension. An extension that would be similar to Ezekiel Elliot’s 6yr/$90M deal with the Cowboys and/or Christian McCaffrey’s 4yr/$64M deal with Carolina. An average salary in that range would make Dalvin Cook one of the highest paid running backs in the NFL keeping “Cookie” in Minnesota for the foreseeable future. 

Option 2

The other option would be to wait until after the 2020 season to determine if Dalvin Cook is worth bringing back. Dalvin Cook is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent (UFA) after the 2020 season where he can test the market with a plethora of other potential UFAs.

Notable 2021 Free Agent RBs

• Derrick Henry
• Joe Mixon
• Alvin Kamara
• Aaron Jones
• Dalvin Cook
• James Conner
• Chris Carson
• Leonard Fournette
• Marlon Mack
• Kareem Hunt
• Adrian Peterson
• Kenyan Drake
• Tarik Cohen
• Todd Gurley
• Philip Lindsay (RFA)

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) May 18, 2020

Of course, we could see Dalvin Cook holdout. As of now, Dalvin Cook will not hold out according to Tom Pelissero; which is more good news for fans, coaches and the front office.  

The #Vikings begin the virtual period of their voluntary offseason program today, and star RB Dalvin Cook plans to participate while awaiting a new contract, per sources.

Cook is entering the last year of his rookie deal.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 27, 2020

In hindsight, Dalvin Cook likely realizes that holding out for a new deal might not bring in a higher annual salary. Yes, it worked for Elliot, but it backfired for Melvin Gordon and Le’Veon Bell who both left the teams they were drafted by and signed for less money. 

The Vikings hold all of the leverage in these “Productive Talks” with Dalvin Cook. As someone who has a Dalvin Cook jersey, I’m hoping that both sides can reach an agreement to keep the Vikings offensive core intact.

Pay Dalvin Cook

— SkolMemes (@SkolMemes) April 17, 2020

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