Minnesota Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah recently addressed the impending free agency of quarterback Kirk Cousins during his end-of-season media session. When directly questioned about the team’s plans regarding Cousins for the next season, Adofo-Mensah expressed a clear intention to bring him back.
According to Adofo-Mensah, Cousins is a crucial player for the team, and his impact on the Vikings was evident before his injury. He emphasized that the quarterback position is the most important in sports, and it is his intention to have Cousins back for the upcoming season. However, he also acknowledged that any new deal would have to make sense for both the team and the player, considering the financial aspects.
As the Vikings have approximately $39 million in cap space, projections for Cousins’ next deal, ranging from $35 to $40 million, could pose challenges to the team’s resources. Some, like former Vikings star Jared Allen, advocate for moving on from Cousins to effectively address other team needs.
Contrary to concerns about a potentially expensive contract, Cousins himself emphasized that, at this stage of his career, financial considerations are not the primary focus. He stated that winning football games is the most important thing for him, downplaying the significance of the monetary aspect.
Jared Allen and other voices in the sports community believe it’s time for the Vikings to move on from Cousins and reset the quarterback position. They suggest allowing Cousins’ contract to void in March, taking advantage of a strong quarterback class in the draft, and building a deeper roster elsewhere. The argument is that the Vikings, under Cousins, aren’t ready to win, and a fresh start at the quarterback position could be beneficial for the team.
LaVelle E. Neal of the Star Tribune particularly recommends addressing the quarterback situation after securing contracts for key players like Danielle Hunter and Justin Jefferson. Neal points to potential candidates in the college football landscape, such as Michael Penix Jr. from Washington and J.J. McCarthy from Michigan, as players who could be the future face of the Vikings.
While the Vikings had a 4-4 record under Cousins in the most recent season, Adofo-Mensah acknowledged that various factors would play into the decision about Cousins’ future with the team. Even if Cousins stays, the season highlighted the need for a better backup plan, suggesting that the team may explore options in the draft.
Responding to questions about the impact of Cousins on the Vikings’ draft plans, Adofo-Mensah emphasized that keeping Cousins wouldn’t prevent them from drafting a successor. He reiterated the importance of thinking long-term and short-term for all positions, indicating that the team would pursue actions that benefit them in both windows, regardless of their draft slot.
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