Kirk Cousins makes most sense with Vikings
There isn’t a player in the league worth $30 million per year. Yet, that is exactly what Kirk Cousins is going to get when the tampered period of NFL free agency opens on March 12 at 4 p.m. ET.
Cousins, 29, played the first six seasons of his career with the Washington Redskins in the nation’s capital the final two on the franchise tag. Now, testing free agency for the first time, Cousinsis set to cash in with a hoard of offers expected to come his way.
Of the teams supposedly involved in the bidding, the Minnesota Vikings stand out as both the best team and top fit. Minnesota was able to reach the NFC Championship Game in January delisted playing most of the year with Case Keenum as their starting quarterback. Minnesota watched as Sam Bradford injured his knee (again) in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints, while Teddy Bridgewater continued his two-year recovery from a horrific non-contact leg injury.
If Kirk Cousins comes to the Twin Cities, there would be a strong argument that the NFC North goes through Minnesota. The Vikings clearly have the best defensive unit in the division, led by Everson Griffen, Harrison Smith, Xavier Rhodes and Eric Kendricks. Factor in an offense that would have Cousins playing alongside Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph and Calvin Cook, and that’s a tough combination to beat … even for Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
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While the price tag is going to be steep — and absurd — signing Cousins makes sense for Minnesota. It’s right on the doorstep of winning a title for the first time in franchise history, and he’s a clear upgrade over the current talent. The Vikings need to give themselves an elongated Super Bowl window, and Cousins would theoretically do that.
From Kirk Cousins’ vantage point, why sign anywhere else? The Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets and Denver Broncos are the other teams reportedly interested in acquiring his talents, but none of them are anywhere near the level of contention Minnesota is. The Vikings are legitimate Super Bowl contenders the second Cousins signs on the dotted line. Denver, New York and Arizona would all be lucky to crack .500.
Minnesota also has the second-most cap space of the quartet, trailing only the Jets. With all due respect to New York, the talent gap is significant between the two franchises, and the Vikings have more than enough money to compete in the financial arena with $47 million in cap space. It’s tough seeing the Jets make a compelling case to play in Gotham.
When the smoke clears, look for the Vikings to get their man, and set themselves up for quite some time.
