Vikings GM expects Kirk Cousins to be team’s QB next season
Following another disappointing playoff exit, the Minnesota Vikings are heading into the offseason with questions about the franchise’s future.
Much of this centers around quarterback Kirk Cousins after falling short in the wildcard round against the New York Giants. Despite that, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said he expects Cousins to return for the 2023 season.
Read: Kevin O’Connell Doing Postseason Postmortem In Minnesota
“It’s our expectation that he’ll be our quarterback,” Adofo-Mensah said during a news conference to discuss the Vikings’ 2022 season via ESPN. “I can’t say exactly how that would look. We have everything at our disposal. We’ll consider all those things just like we would with everyone else on the roster.”
Cousins is heading into the final year of his deal worth $30 million, but will count $36.25 million against the Vikings’ salary cap in 2023. That is likely a number that the team will look to adjust to help bring in more help to the roster.
Adofo-Mensah’s comments open the door for a possible extension for the 35-year-old to lower his salary-cap hit for next season. A significant reason for moving in that direction will be to help work toward a long-term extension for star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is heading into the final year of his rookie deal. He will likely command a salary that will make him the highest-paid player at his position in the league.
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Despite Cousins’ struggles to elevate the Vikings to more than playoff contention, he has securely latched onto the franchise as their cornerstone under center. It may only be a matter of time before he garners another contract from Minnesota that extends his tenure.
