5 tough decisions facing new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah

Kirk Cousins decision

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s toughest decision just may be what to do with Kirk Cousins. If the Vikings keep him next season, his cap hit is a whopping $45 million. That is damn near half the salary cap. If he is traded, it is reported the team that acquires him is on the hook for a $35 million cap hit, which is still a hefty price to pay and could lower his value.

If Adofo-Mensah wants instant success, he could choose to restructure Cousins and fill the holes on this roster through the draft and some bargains in free agency. With the Packers potentially losing both Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams, the Chicago Bears in transition, and the Detroit Lions being the Detroit Lions, the division will be ripe for the picking.

The dilemma will be if Minnesota can be good enough to do more than just make a playoff appearance and if it is better to just start building for the future right away. If K.A.M. leans that way, he’ll try to move Cousins.

Cousins is still a top-12 quarterback in the league and can definitely be the missing piece for a team that is otherwise ready to contend for a Super Bowl. The question will be what is that worth for the teams looking to deal.

The Vikings would obviously love a first-round pick, but with that $35 million price tag that could be too high. Maybe a Carson Wentz-like deal with a conditional second-round pick and a third would be more of the asking price.

Keep Cousins or trade, that’ll be the decision Adofo-Mensah has to make, and maybe he already has a plan in place that he’s shared with the Wilfs, and that is why he got the job.