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The most talked about decision for new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has revolved around the decision he was going to make on the future of QB Kirk Cousins. That question reportedly got answered on Sunday evening, at least for the next two seasons.
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network the two parties agreed on a one-year, $35 million fully guaranteed extension that puts him under contract through 2023
This brings nearly $14 million in cap space to a Vikings front office that desperately needs all the help it can get financially.
New Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell has continued to stand his ground by saying Cousins is the quarterback for the team in 2022, and that now looks more likely for at least the next two seasons.
Cousins has been a good quarterback since arriving in Minnesota in 2018, but it’s never worked out like it was supposed to. He was looked at as the missing piece, but instead the roster quickly went downward which led to the firings of Rick Spielman and Mike Zimmer earlier this year.
O’Connell will likely bring with him a renovated style of offense that Vikings fans haven’t gotten to see with Cousins under center. There are elite playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, so the new head coach will have to do his best at putting Cousins in situations where he can succeed.
The move means the Vikings are all-in on winning in 2022, which means Adofo-Mensah has a lot of pressure on bringing in the right free agents and rookies through the draft this year. It’s no question that Cousins gives the team the best chance at winning this season, but the defense still needs an overhaul of talent.
For more on the Cousins extension tune into KFAN 100.3 throughout the week and stay up to date on KFAN.com.