2 contract extensions Vikings needs to make and 1 to avoid

Kirk Cousins, QB

As good as Kirk Cousins has been during his tenure with the Vikings, it is also now that time to turn the page. This team has some youth, and can build around young, offensive weapons like Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson and Jordan Addison.

It is about time the Vikings figure out how to draft their franchise quarterback, and 2024 should be about doing whatever it takes to move up and get him. The '24 class has some incredibly talented names, too, featuring the likes of USC's Caleb Williams and North Carolina's Drake Maye. But, there's also guys like Washington's Michael Penix Jr., Texas' Quinn Ewers and Oregon's Bo Nix, among others.

Cousins has served his purpose, but has proven he can't be the guy that gets this team over the hump. He has rarely been the quarterback to perform well under the lights or on the biggest of stages, and Vikings fans know this.

In addition to needing a young, franchise quarterback, not re-signing Cousins is going to allow the team a whole lot of financial flexibility if they are able to have a quarterback on a rookie deal in the near future. Cousins' last season in Minnesota is coming up, and the Vikings shouldn't even consider extending him or re-signing him at this point.