Questions about QB Kirk Cousins' future loom over Vikings

Quarterback Kirk Cousins' future with the Minnesota Vikings seems uncertain. 

ESPN's Kevin Seifert noted the four-time Pro Bowler has said he wants to finish his career in Minnesota, and the team's brass claimed they will try to re-sign him. But that will depend on the Vikings giving him multiple fully guaranteed years in his new deal, a "50-50 proposition."

"The buzz now is that it will take $90 million guaranteed for two years, despite that he's still not yet fully recovered from Achilles surgery in November, to sign free agent QB Kirk Cousins," wrote Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. "If that's the case, he certainly won't get that from the Vikings."

However, Cousins has void years on his contract, and the Vikings can extend him before these activate, creating more cap space. Per Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap, this will save $18.25M, which could allow them to make a splash in free agency. OTC estimates Minnesota has $24.66M in cap space.

Banking on Cousins carries risk, given his age and the severity of his injury. He turns 36 before the start of next season, and Achilles tendon problems can last for a year, via the Mayo Clinic.  

The Vikings have the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, within range to select a QB. In his latest mock draft, The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer predicted they'll take Washington's Michael Penix Jr., a 2023 Heisman finalist.