Kirk Cousins contract details Why 2023 could be QBs last season with Vikings potential landing spots for 2024

Kirk Cousins contract details Why 2023 could be QBs last season with Vikings potential landing spots for 2024

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It's not often that NFL teams have let quality starting quarterbacks hit free agency over the years, but that's exactly what Washington did with Kirk Cousins in 2018.Cousins had contract discu sions with Washington for years, but the two parties could never agree on an extension. As a result, Washington had to place the franchise tag on him twice in order to keep him.After that, Cousins was able to leave D.C., as the team had no leverage in contract discu sions.Cousins' foray into free agency a rare feat for a young, talented quarterback allowed him to land a three-year, $84 million contract with the Vikings that was fully guaranteed. He Jevon Kearse Jersey has remained with the team since then and has been a solid starter throughout.But now, Cousins is 35 and there are questions about his future in Minnesota. Will the Vikings want to keep Cousins with another lucrative extension, or will they be looking for a cheaper alternative with the team set to make Justin Jefferson the highest-paid receiver in the NFL?MORE: Here's what to know about Cousins' current contract and what he and the Vikings have said about his future in Minnesota.Cousins is playing out a one-year extension he signed with the Vikings during the 2022 NFL offseason. The extension is worth$35 millionand was fully guaranteed.Cousins' extension was tacked onto the end of a previous two-year extension that he had signed with Minnesota. It was designed to lower his cap hit in 2022 and 2023 to give Minnesota's new head coach, Kevin O'Connell, and general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, some flexibility as they built the roster in their respective images.Below is a look at the structure of the contract, which contains four void years that start in 2024 and end in 2027, per :YearSalaryBonusRestructureCap hitDead cap2022$5,000,000$26,250,000$166,668$31,416,668$80,166,6682023$10,000,000$6,250,000$4,000,000$20,250,000$48,750,0002024$6,250,000$4,000,000$28,500,000$28,500,0002025$6,250,000$4,000,000$10,250,0002026$4,000,000$4,000,0002027$4,000,000$4,000,000Cousins' contract with the Vikings will end after the 2023 NFL season. So, if the Vikings want to keep him at that point, they will have to re-sign him to a long-term deal or potentially consider using the franchise tag on him.That said, even if Cousins leaves the Vikings, he is still going to take up $28.5 million in cap space during the 2024 season. Why? Because the Vikings added four void years to his contract to spread his sizable cap hit out over several years. This is a common accounting method used by teams to create cap space.As such, Cousins will carry a cap hit of at least $4 million over the next four years with the Vikings. Here's a look at how much space he will take up each season, per :YearCap hit2024$28.5 million2025$10.25 million2026$4 million2027$4 millionMORE: At present, it remains unclear whether the Vikings will re-sign Cousins. reported in February that giving Cousins another one-year extension seemed unlikely and that the Vikings might "keep their options open and let Cousins play out this existing deal."It seems like that was their plan. By June, Cousins seemed to indicate that there weren't any discu sions about a long-term extension ongoing between the two parties."I think we'll probably talk about the contract next March," during a news conference. "Until then, we'll just focus on this season and the job to do right now."Those comments put a shroud of uncertainty around Cousins' future. So did comments made by owner Mark Wilf, who was noncommittal when asked about the 35-year-old quarterback's future.Well leave that to G.M. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin OConnell to work through those discu sions, Wilf said, per . Theres always conversations on that. But our real focus is 100 percent on 2023 and getting where we need to be, and where I know we can be.Of course, none of these statements have ruled out Cousins returning to Minnesota on a long-term deal.It is worth noting, however, that neither O'Connell nor Adofo-Mensah was part of the regime that chose Cousins to be the team's long-term quarterback. And while he has comported himself well, the new brain trust may want to get a quarterback of their own around which to build.Given that Cousins hasn't led Minnesota to any sustained playoff succe s, ownership may be fine pursuing a new and, potentially, cheaper option at the game's most important position.It also doesn't help the Vikings' cause that they can't realistically use the franchise tag on Cousins.As Peli sero noted, Cousins would have an enormous salary and an even bigger cap hit if the team Tucker McCann Jersey used the franchise tag on him in 2023."Remember, he was franchise tagged twice by Washington. So for the Vikings to use a third tag on Cousins after the 2023 season, it would be an astronomical number over $50 million," he explained. "Probably unlikely, so this is not just about charting the course for 2023, it's about the big picture of the Vikings quarterback situation as they figure out what to do contractually."So, while the teamfranchise Cousins, it almost certainly won't do that.As such, the Vikings don't have much control over Cousins at this point in the negotiating proce s. If the two parties can't agree on a deal, the quarterback will be able to walk with the Vikings only netting a compensatory selection for him unle s Minnesota shocks the world and tags him.Again, this doesn't mean that the Vikings will move on from Cousins. But their choosing not to sign him to an extension before the 2023 season signals that they are comfortable with the po sibility of him moving on if either side is ready for a fresh start.MORE:If Cousins doesn't return to the Vikings, he would certainly draw interest as a free agent. Barring an injury or a precipitous decline, teams would view him as a potential starter for the 2024 season and po sibly beyond.So, where could Cousins land if not with the Vikings? Below are a few teams that could be looking for quarterbacks in 2024.Atlanta FalconsThe Falcons spent a lot of resources to upgrade their defense during the 2023 offseason while continuing to build around Desmond Ridder on offense. If the second-year quarterback can't prove himself to be anything more than an average quarterback, Atlanta could target a player like Cousins to take it over the top in a weak division.Washington CommandersThe Commanders are in a similar boat to the Falcons. They are starting Sam Howell and are hoping that he can make strides after spending most of his rookie season on the bench. If he can't accomplish that, Washington could pursue a Cousins reunion in the hopes that he can get the most out of a talented receiving corps featuring Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.This move may not have been fathomable when Cousins first left the Commanders; but with Dan Snyder and Bruce Allen gone, a homecoming may be welcomed.Tampa Bay BuccaneersThe Buccaneers are relying on Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask at quarterback in 2023. If that doesn't work, the team will be searching for a new starter. Tampa Bay may end up targeting one in the 2024 NFL Draft, but if the Bucs land too far away from the top pa sers, they can go after a guy like Cousins.Tenne see TitansRyan Tannehill's time as the Titans starter seems to be coming to an end. His contract will expire after the season. While Tenne see has recent Day 2 draft picks Malik Willis and Will Levis behind him, the team could target a stable, veteran hand like Cousins to get Mike Vrabel's squad back to the postseason if the Titans aren't confident in the progre s of either youngster.Seattle SeahawksYes, the Seahawks just gave Geno Smith a contract worth up to $75 million over three years, but if he regre ses in 2023, Seattle can cut him without absorbing much of a dead cap hit. That gives them insurance and would allow them to pursue Cousins if they believe him to be an upgrade.Arizona CardinalsDon't sleep on the Cardinals as a potential landing spot for Cousins. They have Kyler Murray, but if he proves to be a poor fit for Jonathan Gannon and Drew Petzing's scheme in Arizona, they could try to trade him once he returns from injury. There would be a lot of hurdles for the Cardinals to clear to be in the mix for Cousins, but they remain a dark-horse candidate to get him.MORE: Some will be asking this question in wake of Aaron Rodgers' season-ending torn Achilles. While it's a move that might make sense in theory, it won't happen in practice.Why? Because the Jets have just under $9.7 million Nate Davis Jersey in cap space for 2023. That would prevent them from adding Cousins unle s the team negotiated some ma sive pay cuts and contract restructures in-season.Also, the Vikings were a playoff team last season, so it's not like they are going to give up on the season. Perhaps if things fell apart for them ahead of the trade deadline they would consider it, but more likely, they will remain in the wild-card chase in what is a weak NFC.How about during the 2024 offseason? Sure, that remains po sible, but it seems likely that Rodgers will attempt to come back from his torn Achilles. The Jets will want to give him the opportunity to do that considering the hype that surrounded him before his devastating Jets debut.As such, don't expect Cousins to be a part of Gang Green barring a surprising twist.
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