Insiders have been told thus far that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, a 35-year-old pending unrestricted free agent, wants to remain in the Twin Cities during this offseason, even though it hasn’t officially begun yet. That this time, in contrast to previous contract negotiations, Kirk would be more accommodating in some respects.
The Minnesota Vikings are hoping that Kirk Cousins will give them a deal.
According to those with knowledge of the situation, Kirk was prepared to accept a salary that was much closer to $30 million per season as long as he received two years of full guarantees. This was in lieu of looking elsewhere for a salary that was closer to $50 million per season, which is much closer to what his market value would be in free agency.
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From the start, some doubters have questioned whether the NFL’s most astute businessman, quarterback in history, would actually accept a lower salary to remain in purple. However, he will soon be 36 years old and the father of two small children who have both lived in Eagan, Minnesota.
Regarding Kirk’s potential new contract, the prevailing approximations were two fully guaranteed years at approximately $35 million per season. Just enough to appease the NFLPA and his agent, but still a $10–$15 million discount from the Vikings’ average advertised value (AAV).
It was thought that the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins would work out the numbers in a way that would benefit everyone, provided general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah offered enough term and security to make him comfortable.
However, longtime St. Paul newspaper insider and former Minnesota Twins pitcher Charley “Shooter” Walters (Pioneer Press) claims that’s no longer the case in his Sunday morning column. Shooter claims that Kirk Cousins is now requesting $45 million a year for two years, which neither Walters nor I can see the Vikings accepting. Charley thinks the Niners might enter the Kirk bidding war if Purdy struggles in today’s NFC Championship game (Update: Brock Purdy and the Niners are playing in the Super Bowl two Sundays from now).
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