Kirk Cousins discusses uncertain Vikings future after injury

Multiple NFL teams could pursue injured quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency this coming March, but it sounds like he would welcome running it back with the Minnesota Vikings for at least one more season. 

"I always wanted to be a one-team quarterback and that didn't happen in Washington," Cousins said during a Friday appearance on Minneapolis/St. Paul sports radio station KFAN, per Jonathan Harrison of FanNation's Bring Me The Sports. "Then I said, 'Well, I'd like to be a two-team quarterback and, quite honestly, have enough success in Minnesota that people only remember me as a Viking.' That would certainly be my desire but I've also learned in this league you don't always get what you want. So, we'll see what happens. I understand there are a lot of options but it's my desire to be a Viking, retire a Viking and finish my career here."

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said shortly after Cousins suffered a season-ending torn Achilles on Oct. 29 that "Kirk knows how I feel about him and that will be something that hopefully works itself out." While Cousins is beloved among his Minnesota teammates, he is out of contract at the end of this season and turns 36 years old in August 2024. 

It was suggested earlier this week that the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers could take big swings at landing Cousins during the offseason. Cousins confirmed Friday he wants to continue playing either with the Vikings or a different franchise. 

"In my 12 years, I've learned it's hard to predict what next week is bringing, let alone next year," Cousins added during his comments. "But yeah, at this stage with my limited perspective that I have, my intention would be to play next year. I look forward to that and it's a big part of my motivation in rehab."

According to ESPN stats, Cousins enters the weekend ranked ninth in the NFL among qualified players with a 63.8 adjusted QBR and fifth with a 103.8 passer rating on the campaign. He tossed 18 touchdown passes and only five interceptions over eight games before his season ended.