Insider details Vikings' reluctance to commit to QB Kirk Cousins

Contract negotiations between the Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins are at a standstill. 

NFL insider Albert Breer noted the parties have made contact, but the franchise has reservations about making a massive commitment to a 35-year-old still recovering from an Achilles tear.   

"The current Minnesota brass, now going into its third season, really likes Cousins, but it's also been made clear that they're not going to go contractually where the previous regime did twice, and give Cousins a fully guaranteed deal," wrote Breer. "Absent that, Cousins is now in position to hit the market like he did six years ago, this time older and, of course, more injured."

Cousins, however, holds most of the leverage. The Vikings can't franchise tag him, and his contract's void years (2025, 2026 and 2027) count toward their 2024 salary cap. Per OTC, Minnesota has $24.6M in cap room.

Despite the injury concerns, teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders would be interested in a four-time Pro Bowler. He threw 18 TDs and posted the league's seventh-best QBR (63.2) in eight games last season.

Atlanta is the most likely landing spot if he leaves Minnesota. Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is a Sean McVay disciple like Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell.  

The Vikings, meanwhile, have the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and could select a replacement. As of Monday, DraftKings lists them as the favorites (+450) to take Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy.

The team better start preparing for life without Cousins if it keeps making little to no progress on a new deal.