Despite a myriad of trade interest and rumors for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, the team announced on Sunday that they will be signing the veteran signal-caller to a one-year extension, which will keep him in Minneapolis through the 2023 season.
One more QB deal: Kirk Cousins and the Vikings have reached agreement on a one-year deal, per his agent @MikeMcCartney7.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2022
The move, a surprise to Vikings fans and many around the NFL, was announced just minutes after Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady's unretirement came to light. A likely response to a floundering NFC quarterback group, and a move that creates some cap relief for the salary-strapped Minnesota Vikings per The Athletic's Chad Graff.
The extension also gives the Vikings much-needed cap space.
They believe they can win with this roster and this move doubles down on that. The extension means no re-build for the Vikings. They think they can make the playoffs next season.
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) March 13, 2022
The Vikings, who entered the day over $15 million in the hole on salary, appear committed to Kirk Cousins and have faith that he will respond well to the addition of new head coach Kevin O'Connell. When asked about his veteran quarterback, O'Connell expressed some excitement in building their offensive game plan around him.
“We've already started thinking about how we're going to build those systems for him and our other quarterbacks and really the tremendous skill group that we have, our guys up front. It takes all 11 [players] to move the football on offense, to run it, to throw it, to score points in the red zone;” O'Connell said. “I'm anticipating Kirk being a part of what we do.”
At this time it is unclear how the new extension will provide cap relief for the Vikings. If true, the Vikings would be able to call an audible on their widely-expected offseason plans of moving on from key veterans to clear enough money to be within the cap.
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