Kirk Cousins On His Contract Status, Dalvin Cook, Netflix's 'Quarterback' Show
Following the conclusion of the Vikings' offseason program on Wednesday, quarterback Kirk Cousins spoke to reporters for the first time in over a month. He touched on a few interesting subjects, including his contract status and being part of the Netflix show "Quarterback" that comes out in July.
No contract talks expected until spring
Cousins is heading into the final year of his contract. The Vikings elected not to extend him earlier this offseason, giving themselves flexibility at the sport's most important position in 2024. Even after not drafting a QB this year until the fifth round, it doesn't sound like there's any possibility they extend Cousins prior to this season.
"I think we’ll probably talk about the contract next March, and until then just focus on this season and the job to do right now," Cousins said when asked if there had been any talks. "No (contract talks), just going to work."
So for the first time since 2018, when he signed with the Vikings, Cousins will be a free agent in 2024. If he has a huge season this year, that could lead to a new multi-year deal with Minnesota. If he doesn't — or maybe even if he does — the Vikings might finally go in a different direction at QB next year.
Any chance Dalvin Cook could return to the Vikings?
The Vikings released star running back Dalvin Cook last week, which creates cap space and turns the backfield over to Alexander Mattison and a few others. Cousins, who played alongside him for five seasons, made sure to mention Cook in his opening statement.
"Dalvin Cook being released, obviously, was bigger news, and I wanted to take the time just to acknowledge the respect I have for him as a player and a person and the difference he’s made for our team," Cousins said. "His toughness. His consistency. I think he’s been to four straight Pro Bowls, so that says it all right there. I’m excited to see where he goes. I’ll always be pulling for him."
Standard, classy stuff. Then, still unprompted, Cousins said something that made you go "huh?"
"I kind of am optimistically hoping we’ll get him back," he said. "Who knows. But maybe there’s an outside chance. We’ll see."
It's notable that Cousins said that, but it's extremely difficult to see it happening. Why would the Vikings release Cook only to bring him back? Maybe the price would be a bit lower, but you'd think Cook will still end up getting a deal in the $7-10 million range, which wouldn't make sense for Minnesota. Cook ending up back with the Vikings would be extremely bizarre. Unless Cousins knows something we don't, it's not happening.
Cousins starring in Netflix's "Quarterback" documentary, out in July
Cousins is one of three players, along with Patrick Mahomes and Marcus Mariota, featured in a new Netflix series called "Quarterback," which comes out on July 12th. It follows the three QBs over the course of last season and gives an inside look into what it takes to play the position in the NFL, as well as their off-the-field lives. All three QBs were mic'd up for every game last year.
"The hope was that people would get maybe a little bit more of an inside look at what it’s like," Cousins said.
"I think both NFL Films and our organization did a good job of just making sure they were out of the way," he added. "It was subtle. It was never intrusive. Again, it was just a good opportunity to let people see me a little bit, I wish it could’ve been more, but just a little bit behind the scenes. As I watched a couple edits, I realized there’s going to be few things better to show my two boys in about 10 to 15 years. To say this is what dad did. You were too young to remember it, but this was life, and this is what it looked like. It’s going to be pretty powerful. Even my grandkids, to be able to show them that behind the scenes and stuff, I think there will be some meaning to that."
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