EXCLUSIVE: Vikings Great Says ‘Ride Over’ for Kirk Cousins in Minnesota
Regarding quarterback Kirk Cousins’ future, the Minnesota Vikings seem to have a difficult decision to make, but a recent statement from a team legend suggests that there isn’t really a choice at all.
Jared Allen, a four-time All-Pro defensive end who spent six years with the Vikings, was a guest on FanDuel’s Up & Adams Show with Kay Adams on Tuesday, November 28. Despite the quarterback suffering an Achilles injury earlier in the season and turning 36 before the start of the next season, the presenter asked Allen what he felt about Minnesota possibly signing Cousins to a new contract this spring: “I don’t know that you can invest that much more money that it would take to keep him.”
“You really expose your weaknesses at this stage of your career. That’s just the way it is; it’s a young man’s game,” Allen remarked
After Allen acknowledged that he was unaware of the specifics of Cousins’ current contract, Adams clarified that the quarterback is in the last year of his agreement and will be eligible for free agency in March. That’s when Allen took an even more adamant stand, saying the Vikings ought to cut Cousins after this season.
It should be obvious that you cannot pay him. You are unable to compensate him. I apologize, Kirk; it’s not personal. Nothing at all personal,” Allen answered. “What will you have to give him, twenty-five or thirty million dollars a year? I apologize; the ride is over.
Kirk Cousins and the Vikings may reunite on a one-year deal.
Cousins had a $35 million one-year contract extension in 2023. After tearing his Achilles against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8, he was having arguably the best season of his six seasons in Minnesota during his second season under head coach Kevin O’Connell, leading the NFL in passing attempts (311), completions (216), and passing touchdowns (18). This information is provided by Pro Football Reference.
Apart from the injury, there’s little reason to believe Cousins will agree to accept a sizable salary reduction. On November 14, nevertheless, Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report said that after the quarterback’s injury, the Vikings and Cousins are more open to a reunion. According to Schultz, Cousins’ willingness to take a one-year contract is the most likely explanation.
According to what I gather, both the Vikings and Cousins are considerably more open to a comeback in 2024 after what has happened with him recently,” Schultz stated. “I’ve been told that could mean a one-year contract.”
Without Kirk Cousins, the Vikings Face Serious QB Questions
Since Cousins went down, the team has struggled at quarterback, so Minnesota might be more interested in a reunion. Less than a quarter of the way into his debut start, rookie Jaren Hall got a concussion; he hasn’t returned to the field since. This is mostly because Josh Dobbs, who relieved Hall and helped Minnesota pull off a victory over the Atlanta Falcons, was acquired by the Vikings via a trade with the Arizona Cardinals.
But since the next week’s victory over the New Orleans Saints, Dobbs has dropped his last two starts. In a Week 12 Monday Night Football home loss to the Chicago Bears, he also threw four interceptions. After the bye, O’Connell hinted this week that the Vikings would switch to Nick Mullens, who was placed on injured reserve in mid-October due to a back ailment.
When Justin Jefferson plays again, December 10 against the Las Vegas Raiders, the chances of a reunion with Cousins will only rise if none of Minnesota’s healthy quarterbacks can fully use the talented array of pass catchers on the team.
