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NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero expects Kirk Cousins to test free agency to gauge his market. Most of the quarterback-needy teams, aside from maybe one or two clubs atop the draft order, should make a strong pitch to him.
Though ultimately, Cousins’ return to the Minnesota Vikings makes the most sense.
Cousins will turn 36 in August and is coming off a torn Achilles. If he signs elsewhere to pick up an unfamiliar system with new teammates, he may have a rough transition year.
In six seasons with the Vikings, Cousins has put together three Pro Bowl campaigns and may have earned a fourth nod if not for the Achilles injury. In two terms (25 games) under head coach Kevin O’Connell, Cousins has thrown for 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions with a completion rate of 65.9 percent or better in both seasons.
By the way, Minnesota has one of the league’s best receiver duos in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and a two-time Pro Bowl tight end in T.J. Hockenson.
With O’Connell calling the plays, Cousins shouldn’t be in any rush to leave an ascending offense that ranked within the top 10 in total yards in 2022 and 2023.
The Vikings know how hard it could be to replace Cousins though, too. In Cousins’ absence this past season, they cycled through three starting quarterbacks (Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall) and struggled to find efficiency or a rhythm in the passing game.
Unless Minnesota finds a veteran upgrade for Cousins, the front office should re-sign him and draft a signal-caller to develop for the future.
According to the MMQB’s Albert Breer, the Vikings’ coaching staff wants to “keep” Cousins, though the front office doesn’t want to sign him to a fully guaranteed contract (like his previous deal).
As a 35-year-old quarterback with limited mobility coming off an Achilles injury, Cousins may not be able to get a fully guaranteed deal from any team. If not, he should return to Minnesota and happily accept the Vikings’ offer.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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