Report: Kirk Cousins' Asking Price Will Be Too Much For Vikings

How much is it going to take to sign Cousins this offseason?

According to a report from veteran columnist Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Kirk Cousins is going to price himself out of the Vikings' plans this offseason.

"The buzz now is that it will take $90 million guaranteed for two years, despite that he’s still not yet fully recovered from Achilles surgery in November, to sign free agent QB Kirk Cousins," Walters wrote. "If that’s the case, he certainly won’t get that from the Vikings."

Even as Cousins has publicly expressed his desire to finish his career in Minnesota — and Vikings leadership has expressed their desire to bring him back — it has always felt like this would come down to the price tag. If Cousins and his representation are open to a deal at a number that makes sense for the Vikings, he'll remain the team's quarterback. If they're determined to once again maximize the value of his next contract (and why wouldn't they be?), there's a good chance he'll sign elsewhere.

If it's going to take $90 million over two years — which would make sense, given the current landscape of salaries at the position and the never-ending demand for good quarterback play — the Vikings will almost certainly let another team sign Cousins to that deal. It just doesn't make sense for them to sign that contract when they also have to extend Justin Jefferson this offseason (perhaps for a record-setting $35 million per year) and Christian Darrisaw next year, as well as fill numerous holes on the defensive side of the ball.

If Cousins does sign elsewhere, the Vikings will have to find a new starting quarterback for the first time in six years. In that situation, they'd be in the market for a bridge option while also exploring their possibilities in the draft. One of those bridge options was mentioned by Walters in his column: Russell Wilson.

It’s not far-fetched that the Vikings would consider, for financial reasons, Russell Wilson as their bridge QB next season if they draft a QB with their No. 11 pick in April. The Broncos are expected to cut Wilson, 35, who if he’s on the roster next March, his 2025 salary of $37 million becomes guaranteed. His $37 million deal for next season already is guaranteed by Denver.

But if the Vikings are interested in Wilson, his 2024 contract has a salary off-set, meaning he would cost only the NFL veteran minimum of $1.2 million with incentives. The Broncos would owe the rest.

Bottom line: The Vikings can either pay Cousins $45 million next season or Wilson $1.2 million.

It would be surprising if the Vikings end up with Wilson, mainly because his on-field fit in Kevin O'Connell's offense doesn't seem to make a ton of sense. But who knows? He'll be among the many quarterbacks Minnesota will have to consider this offseason if Cousins ends up leaving.

Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

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