Vikings trending toward moving on from Kirk Cousins in 2024

A recent report has revealed that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is unlikely to get another contract extension from the team this offseason.

Since he arrived in 2018, Kirk Cousins has had a lock on the starting quarterback job for the Minnesota Vikings. The same is expected to remain true for the 2023 season, but it’s starting to sound like Cousins’ future with the franchise beyond that is beginning to reach some serious levels of doubt.

With his current deal set to expire in 2024, Minnesota and their quarterback have been discussing a possible contract extension this year. However, it doesn’t sound like the Vikings are willing to do whatever it takes to retain Cousins this time, at least according to a report from NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo on Sunday.

"“The Vikings have made it clear. They’re trying to come to a solution that works for both parties in a contract extension. There have been discussions, but nothing is imminent right now. He’s got a roster bonus of $20 million that’ll be earned later this week and then he’s due to be paid $15 million of it next week, so that’s kinda sort of a soft deadline to get something done.But I’m not sensing any momentum toward [an extension getting done] and it is quite possible that [Cousins] plays out the last year of his deal.”"

Minnesota Vikings preparing to move on from Kirk Cousins in 2024?

After five seasons with Cousins as their starting quarterback, it seems like the pieces are starting to be put in place by Minnesota to find someone new to start under center for them.

If Garafolo’s expectations turn out to be true and Cousins isn’t rewarded with another extension in the near future, then the Vikings selecting a quarterback in this year’s NFL Draft seems almost inevitable.

So far, Minnesota has met with a trio of 2023 quarterback prospects this offseason, including Kentucky’s Will Levis, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

The Vikings could also have other ideas in mind to replace Cousins. But at the very least, it seems like for the first time since he arrived in 2018, Minnesota has begun to think about life without Cousins as their quarterback.