It wasn't all about the money (although $28 million a season ain't too shabby). That's what Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is claiming.

While guesting on Pro Football Talk Live with Mike Florio, Cousins revealed that his big decision came down to his desire to win football games.

“It came down to my desire to win football games,” Cousins said. “Minnesota appeared to be that fit for a lot of reasons. Ultimately the leadership of the organization is what set it apart.”

The general NFL narrative agrees with this Cousins decision.

The Vikings are coming off an impressive NFL North champion campaign, finishing just one game shy of Super Bowl 52. The New York Jets, on the other hand—the team who offered $30 million per season for the services of the man in question—could only muster five wins during a season that actually served as a poor surprise.

Whether that narrative is reality or not remains to be seen. Too many times we've seen franchise crash and burn or rise from the ashes just one calendar year later. Nevertheless, Cousins is now a Viking based on his “desire to win.”

Article Continues Below
Related News
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) takes to the field prior to the Ravens' game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game.
Ravens’ Marlon Humphrey trolls Bengals over Shemar Stewart’s rookie holdoutJosh Davis ·
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half in the AFC Championship game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
Bills fans will be fired up with ESPN’s latest Super Bowl modelRichard Pereira ·
Sep 19, 2022; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills linebacker Von Miller (40) warms up before a game against the Tennessee Titans at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images
Why Von Miller believes Broncos reunion ‘doesn’t make sense’Mike Gianakos ·
Former NBA star Vince Carter during his jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of a game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat.
Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter guide Bills rookies with elite-level mentorshipJosh Davis ·
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin looks in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium.
NFL rumors: Steelers talking trade with more than just DolphinsDouglas Fritz ·
New England Patriots center David Andrews (60) watches from the sideline during the first half against the Carolina Panthers at Gillette Stadium.
2-time Super Bowl champion retires after 10 seasons with PatriotsConor Roche ·

He wants to win so much that he wishes the NFL offseason rules weren't so stringent.

“Unfortunately it is regimented a little more than I would like,” he said. “But we’ll have nine weeks of an offseason program.”

Cousins, 29, is a fourth-round selection by the Washington Redskins in 2012. Not until his fourth season—after Robert Griffin III crashed and burned—did he fully break out.

IN 57 games started for the Skins, Cousins has put forth top 10 QB numbers with 16,206 yards and 99 touchdowns to 55 interceptions including a superb completion percentage of 65.5.

He was franchise tagged for the last two seasons. As of today, he's the richest NFL player in the history of the game on a per season basis.