Kirk Cousins has carved out a pleasant profession for himself since getting into the NFL in 2012. The previous fourth-round decide was drafted to the identical group as one of many greatest prospects of his class, Robert Griffin III. After Griffin’s hype fizzled out, Cousins took over and even grew to become a Professional Bowl choice for Washington in ’16. He moved on to Minnesota from there and over the previous six years as a Viking, Cousins has had his contracts totally assured. However in keeping with latest experiences, the Vikings have had sufficient of Cousins’ totally assured offers.
That’s not too dangerous for the 102nd decide in his draft. A participant who most figured would not often if ever see reside motion on Sundays. The contracts Cousins has been in a position to get in Minnesota are extremely coveted in a league that historically ensures little to nothing.
With Cousins getting into free company and coming off an Achilles tear that restricted him to eight video games in ’23, the Vikings are apparently saying no to a different totally assured contract. Regardless of how good Cousins has been throughout his tenure in Minnesota, the group is true to proceed with warning. That damage is hard for anybody to get well from, not to mention a 35-year-old quarterback.
Positive, Cousins has been actually good and even nice at occasions during the last six years. However when evaluating Cousins to his contemporaries across the league, one title that often pops up is Dak Prescott. By way of manufacturing on the sphere and the way far they’ve been in a position to lead their respective franchises, there are lots of similarities. That comparability alone is a little bit of a double-edged sword.
Prescott is one other QB who’s been a starter for a few years and normally performs anyplace within the good to actually and typically nice vary. Each have had a number of 4,000-yard passing campaigns whereas additionally throwing for greater than 30 touchdowns a number of occasions. But, neither has been in a position to push their groups ahead into the NFC championship sport.
Cousins is 1-3 (with Washington and Minnesota) within the playoffs whereas Prescott is 2-5. Not precisely apples to apples however the outcomes have been missing most of the time within the playoffs. So, the Vikings are justified in not leaping proper into one other assured cope with Cousins. Though he’s been good, he hasn’t propelled them previous the second spherical.
The Vikings’ final look on Championship weekend was the yr earlier than Cousins arrived, with Case Keenum taking snaps beneath middle. Nobody’s saying Keenum is a greater or extra completed QB than Cousins, however he did publish an 11-3 report as a starter that yr in Minnesota. It was the definition of flash within the pan, however Keenum helped the Vikings come inside one win of enjoying within the Tremendous Bowl.
Mr. Cousins has carried out so much however has not been in a position to duplicate that in six years. Whereas there may be nonetheless time to determine issues out, it seems like this relationship has run its course. Even when Minnesota desires to maintain Cousins exterior the parameters of his traditional totally assured contract, they possible gained’t be prepared to pay him what he expects. Nevertheless, if Cousins is anticipating to interrupt the financial institution after an Achilles damage, then he’s in for a impolite awakening.