Report: Vikings' Kirk Cousins 'has zero intention' of taking pay cut
During his introductory press conference on Thursday, new Minnesota Vikings head coach and ex-Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell insisted he is "excited" to work with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
O'Connell may not have much a say in the matter.
Per Courtney Cronin, Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Cousins is signed through the 2022 season on a deal that includes a $45 million salary-cap hit and a $35 million base salary that's already been fully guaranteed. While Cousins could help ease his cap burden by putting pen to paper on an extension, insider Jordan Schultz reports the 33-year-old isn't interested in accepting a reduction in salary:
"We’ve already started thinking about how we’re going to build those systems for him and our other quarterbacks," O'Connell said of Cousins on Thursday. "I’m anticipating Kirk being a part of what we do."
Schultz echoed those words via a Friday tweet:
Interestingly, it appears Cousins' annual youth football camp may be going on hiatus until further notice:
This update naturally sparked speculation that at least somebody believes Cousins may soon be calling a different NFL city home, but O'Connell's comments and Schultz's report suggest differently heading into the weekend.
To trade Cousins, Minnesota likely would have to find a buyer willing to sign the veteran to an extension that would, at the very least, match what he's owed by the Vikings.
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