One writer believes the Vikings should extend the 34-year-old quarterback this offseason.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis called extending Cousins’ contract “almost a must” to save salary cap space in 2023.
“Minnesota could restructure his deal to save money on the cap this year, but that would increase the amount of dead money they’d owe in the future,” Lewis wrote. “So, similar to last season, an extension feels like the best approach, especially considering the Vikings do not have another quarterback waiting in the wings.”
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – DECEMBER 17: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates on the field after defeating the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 17, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) Adam Bettcher/Getty Images
Some fans see the logic and want to keep Cousins for at least one additional season. Others, on the other hand, believe the quarterback has already taken Minnesota as far as he can.
“Extending Kirk is by far the best option for the Vikings,” a fan declared. “Three year deal. Will keep the contending window open, keep JJ [Jefferson] and [TJ] Hockenson happy, plus the front office isn’t pressured to draft a QB they don’t need.”
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“Anyone who disagrees with this just doesn’t wanna win,” another fan said. “Me personally, I’m sick of going 8-9. It’s time to win.”
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“Kirk Cousins is going to spend the majority of his career on the Vikings roster because his contract situation just perpetually makes moving on from him too painful,” a fan predicted.
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“Good enough to not wanna get rid of, mid enough to not actually take you anywhere. It’s called the Kirk Cousins line for a reason,” a fan declared.
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“Just extending the first round exit,” another fan wrote.
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Cousins made his third Pro Bowl in the last four years after posting 4,547 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2022. He led Minnesota to an improbable 13-4 season with eight-game winning drives.
However, Cousins will receive more of the blame than he deserves for another swift playoff elimination. He completed 31 of 39 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-24 opening-round loss to the New York Giants.
Cousins has won one playoff game in eight seasons as a full-time starter, so skeptics don’t see him guiding the Vikings deep into the postseason. But teams without an above-average quarterback could tell them how much worse things can get.
The Vikings must navigate this tricky situation to decide how much longer they want to stick with Cousins.