The Minnesota Vikings are anticipated to extend Kirk Cousins’ contract in the upcoming offseason, as per insights from an NFL insider. Despite Cousins suffering a season-ending Achilles injury, the 7-7 Vikings remain in contention for the playoffs, positioning the team in a dilemma regarding their draft prospects for 2024.
Given their current record, the Vikings are unlikely to secure a high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to acquire a top-tier quarterback prospect. Consequently, the team is poised to focus on retaining Cousins, aiming to leverage their offensive prowess, highlighted by talents such as Justin Jefferson and the promising Jordan Addison entering his second season.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently offered his perspective on the Vikings’ quarterback situation for the upcoming season. Barnwell suggests that a logical move for the Vikings would be to extend Cousins’ contract by two years during the offseason. This extension is viewed as a strategic maneuver, providing stability to the team while their reconstructed defense complements the formidable offensive roster.
The decision to retain Cousins is grounded in the quarterback’s exceptional performance before the Achilles injury and the overall improvement exhibited by the team’s defense throughout the current season. Despite facing challenges such as injuries and quarterback rotations, the Vikings have managed to stay competitive, thanks to a defense that, under Brian Flores, has shown the most significant year-to-year improvement across the league since Week 4.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, the Vikings hold the potential to be a formidable force if they make astute moves in free agency and the draft. The advantage of not having to build an offense around a rookie quarterback positions the Vikings as a threat, provided Cousins can make a successful return from his Achilles injury and replicate the high-level performance demonstrated in the current season.
However, there’s an element of uncertainty surrounding Cousins’ ability to maintain his performance level in 2024, especially given the challenges associated with recovering from an Achilles injury for a quarterback approaching 36 years old by August. Despite the potential risks, the Vikings seem inclined to invest in continuity by re-signing Cousins, emphasizing their commitment to building on the positive strides made during the current season.
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