Insider: Minnesota Vikings Must Extend Kirk Cousins For 2023

Cousins is a polarizing figure in the NFL. That’s because he’s a solid starting quarterback. But Cousins is not elite. He’s made four Pro Bowls, but he’s never been much of a threat in the postseason. With one of the best offensive rosters in the league in 2022, he threw for 4,547 yards passing and had 29 touchdowns to 15 interceptions.

Why the Vikings could extend Cousins

Alec Lewis with The Athletic wrote about why the Vikings could extend Cousins. And it isn’t because the Vikings quarterback is a star. Lewis thinks it could be beneficial for the Vikings’ salary cap and to give the team a succession plan at quarterback:

“By extending Cousins, the Vikings could save an ample amount of money toward the salary cap. Last year, for example, Minnesota lowered the quarterback’s cap hit by about $15 million by making that move. A similar deal, paired with O’Neill’s restructuring, could put the Vikings in the black even before they decide on key roster members in the final seasons of their contracts.

Another benefit of extending Cousins? It would give the brass another year to find and/or develop a young quarterback.”

That’s probably not a bad idea. The Vikings likely can’t land another quarterback that would lead them to immediate playoff success. Their championship aspirations will rest on the hope Cousins and the offense can play at an elite level while the defense improves.