Ranking the top 6 destinations for Kirk Cousins in 2024

Kirk Cousins Destination No. 1

Minnesota Vikings (-200 Odds)

It’s easy to see why Kirk Cousins could return to the Land of 10,000 Lakes. There are very few guarantees in the NFL, but one that Minnesota fans can count on is the performance of Cousins.

Since he came to Minnesota in 2018, Cousins has passed for over 4,000 yards in four of his six seasons. It would have been five if he wasn’t injured this past season.

Before hurting his Achilles, Cousins had passed for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just five picks. One can only imagine what he could have accomplished with nine more games under his belt.

Speaking of injuries, before 2023, Cousins had not missed a start in any of his seasons with the Vikings (he did not play by choice in the regular season final in 2019).

In fact, during his three full years as a starter in Washington from 2015 to 2017, Cousins played every game as well. That kind of durability from a pro quarterback is extremely rare.

Some media talking heads believe that the Vikings would do well to draft a replacement for Cousins. That sounds good in theory, but NFL history is littered with “sure-fire” college players who don’t pan out as a pro.

It’s very doubtful that Minnesota would trade up to get Caleb Williams or Drake Maye in April's draft. However, they could stay put at No. 11 and get a future franchise QB to learn under Cousins for a few years.

Detractors also point out Cousins’ reported asking price of $90 million for two years. As high as that sounds, it’s not much more than the $35 million he was paid per year on his most recent deal.

There’s also the issue of the Vikings keeping their other offensive stars if Cousins doesn’t stay.

All-world receiver Justin Jefferson recently revealed that he would like to know Minnesota's plans for the quarterback position before he signs a long-term contract extension with the club.

This shouldn’t be a shock to anyone.

Cousins has repeatedly found ways to keep his pass catchers happy. How realistic is it to think that Jefferson will stay if a new quarterback (whoever it is) fails to live up to expectations and can’t consistently get him the ball?

Another reason some fans and media types want to discard Cousins is his failure to bring home a Super Bowl or even appear in the NFL’s biggest game. However, since 2015 alone, only two quarterbacks have won or appeared in the Super Bowl in all but two seasons, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

In other words, getting to the Super Bowl isn’t as easy as one thinks.

Also, Cousins isn’t responsible for dropped passes, lack of protection from his offensive line (sacked 46 times in 2022 alone), or Alexander Mattison not becoming the second coming of Adrian Peterson (or Dalvin Cook for that matter).

The Vikings are close to becoming a very good football team and challenging Mahomes for a world title. Minnesota's defense got a little better in 2023 and finished near the middle of the pack.

PFN gave the much-improved offensive line a fifth overall grade, and the team has Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson catching passes.

Management needs to get realistic about starting over with a new quarterback and possibly blowing up a team ready to pounce.

It starts with re-signing Cousins, drafting or signing a good running back, then adding pieces to the offensive line and on defense.