Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Former Vikings O-lineman throws Kirk Cousins under the bus

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 1/31/23

For all of the success that Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins had in 2022, there’s still a sizeable contingency of people who believe it’s time for Minnesota to move on from the polarizing QB.

Count former Vikings offensive lineman Alex Boone among them after his recent remarks on “the Purple Daily Podcast” on SKOR North.

“If I’m a free agent, and I’m a guard, and Minnesota offers me and I’m like, ‘Are you guys really rolling with Kirk again? Are you doing this?’” Boone said. “I was all about him all year, one play could really screw you up. It would make me think twice…[Cousins] is not going to take you anywhere.”

POLL: What should the Minnesota #Vikings do with Kirk Cousins? #SKOL

1. Short-year extension
2. Ride it out
3. Ask him to waive no-trade
4. Multi-year extension pic.twitter.com/nagENQkrbN
— SKOR North (@SKORNorth) January 23, 2023

Cousins ranked fourth in the NFL in passing yards (4,547), fifth in touchdowns (29) and 14th in passer rating this season (92.5). It was the second-most yards he’s thrown for in a season. The 34-year-old QB also led the NFL with eight game-winning drives and set a new career-best in single-season wins (13).

However, the $36.25 million Cousins is owed in 2023 is the sixth-highest cap hit in the league next season, and it can be argued that his inflated salary is preventing Minnesota from investing in other positions of need such as the secondary and defensive line.

It's possible the Vikings could extend Cousins to lower his cap hit in 2023, however, Boone suggested the Vikings shop Cousins to quarterback-needy teams to get his salary off their payroll in case a rebuild is on the horizon in Minnesota.

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