Vikings' GM Releases Statement on Kirk Cousins Signing With Falcons
Kirk Cousins agreed to a four-year deal with the Falcons on Monday, ending his tenure as the Vikings' starting quarterback after six rollercoaster seasons. His new contract with Atlanta is worth up to $180 million, with $100 million in guarantees that includes $45 million fully guaranteed over each of the next two years.
The Vikings reportedly wanted Cousins back, but it had to be on terms that they were comfortable with. They clearly didn't budge on their offer, so Cousins took a better deal to join the Falcons.
"After significant and positive dialogue with Kirk and his representatives, we were unable to reach agreement on a contract that fits the short and long-term visions for both Kirk and the Minnesota Vikings," GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said in a statement released by the team. "Kirk holds a special place in Vikings history, and we appreciate his leadership and contributions to the team and the Minneapolis-St. Paul community over the past six seasons. We wish him, his wife, Julie, and their children all the best."
Now the Vikings need a new quarterback. They're in a tough spot when it comes to finding a replacement, which is why they continued to have interest in bringing Cousins back on a short-term deal. But there are options out there. They have the 11th overall pick and are a candidate to trade up even higher if they believe they can land someone like Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy. They'll also be in the mix to sign a veteran free agent or perhaps explore a trade for a QB.
They've been planning for the possibility of Cousins leaving for a while now.
"Our approach heading into free agency always included layers of contingencies regarding the quarterback position," Adofo-Mensah said. "We are moving forward with plans that allow us to continue building a roster that can compete for a championship."
Thanks for reading. Make sure to bookmark this site and check back daily for the latest Vikings news and analysis all offseason long.
