6 most disappointing Vikings moves of the 2022 offseason

3. Giving Kirk Cousins a no-trade clause

So the Vikings decided to give Kirk Cousins a one-year extension this offseason. It’s the decision that Minnesota felt was best for their team moving forward, and that’s fine.

The problem lies within the terms of the extension that the Vikings gave to Cousins. Minnesota gave the veteran quarterback a bunch of money, sure, but they also included a no-trade clause in his new deal.

So what happens if Cousins ends up not being a fit for Kevin O’Connell’s offense and the 2022 season winds up turning into a disaster? The Vikings don’t really have any other choice than to bring the veteran passer back for the final year of his contract in 2023.

Unless Cousins approves of a trade, he’s not going anywhere until 2024. But this is probably a stipulation that the quarterback required in his new deal since it was only a one-year extension.

Still, Minnesota agreed to the deal, and now they’re essentially stuck with Cousins for the next two seasons, whether they like it or not.