2 pros and 3 cons of playing out the final year of Kirk Cousins’ contract

The Vikings won’t completely throw away a season

Keeping Kirk Cousins may not set the Vikings up for a deep playoff run but it would also keep them from being a bottom-feeder in the NFC. Building a winning culture or appearing to be in contention does have value in the NFL. With such a young offensive roster, the Vikings would benefit from trying to win games rather than throwing a season away while they have key players on cheaper contracts.

Even if that means the Vikings win eight games and still miss the playoffs, it would be more enticing for players to return than if they won four games and showed no signs of life under a new regime.

Now, I do think that is a bit overrated and the roster will have a general idea of their true competitiveness next season but winning always helps. The NFC North is once again aligning to be a two-team race if the Vikings want to make it that way.

The Lions and Bears are staring down another year of rebuilding while the Packers have committed to Aaron Rodgers. Green Bay and Minnesota will be the top two teams in the division if Kirk Cousins stays and anything can happen over the course of 17 games.

Minnesota might end up getting exposed in the playoffs but with such a weak division ahead of them for 2022, playing to win might set them up for a brighter future. They will continue chasing that dream of winning the NFC North and players will buy into the regime.