I wouldn't be against extending Cousins AND drafting a QB and have Cousins mentor the rookie, similar to what the Packers did with Love. But it won't happen for a number of reasons. Cousins wants a multi year deal and Vikings won't want to waste more than one season of having their starting QB on a rookie deal. I think I would much rather the Vikings trade to get a top 5 pick and let Cousins go. Or they stick at 11 and hope for the best. From what I've been reading JJ McCarthy's stock has been rising and he just might be available at 11.
Vikings signing pass rusher Jonathan Greenard. Hunter replacement it seems as Greenard is coming off a 12.5 sack season. He's 3 years younger as well - good move IMO.
Yeah if they want to cut ties with Cousins it has to be now. If they release him now then they will have to eat some of his salary for this coming season. If they re-sign him at all then the money goes into future years, which would impact their ability to put talent around a rookie QB and effectively make their “cheap” rookie contract pointless. If they re-sign Cousins they need to go all in for next year. Re-sign Hunter, go after Wilkins and Onwenu in a big way and probably trade their second round pick for Sneed from the Chiefs. Then draft someone like Turner or Verse at 11. Would completely re-vamp the D and maybe give them a chance of being competitive next year. Im definitely more in favour of moving on from Cousins as he is 36 and coming off a major injury and has never shown he can win when it really matters. The Vikings don’t tend to pick this high so I would be looking to either trade back and build the team up with a view of getting a QB next year and sign someone like Darnold for the year, or possibly trading up if someone like Maye falls
Yeah, Hunter was after 25m a year so cheaper than him, but Hunter probably better right now albeit older. Always slightly wary of signing a guy who basically has only been really good in the year he was out of contract but definitely a position the Vikings needed and he was one of the best ones available so can’t be annoyed at it.
In theory though, his production shouldn't drop off as he's at his prime now. He should also be a good fit for Flores and his defensive playbook.
In theory yes, but lots of players really go for it in contract years to get a big deal somewhere before chilling once they have signed the deal. This is his contract after his rookie deal and he has made 40 odd million guaranteed, there are lots of examples of players whose production drops off a cliff when they get paid. Not saying that js going to happen with Greenard but only one standout year in his first 4 raises some alarm bells, but the Vikings had to get someone with Hunter off and they got one of the best available on paper
In his GM tenure so far Kwesi also likes to fill out the roster in free agency with the tier 2 and 3 players rather than going big on one or two players. He does this so there aren’t any huge holes going into the draft so you don’t need to reach on a player in a certain position as it is a big weakness on the team. So if Cousins goes they will sign a QB in free agency, they also will sign at least 2 more defensive line players, an offensive line, linebacker, running back and corner would be my prediction. I’d expect Greenard will be the only top tier free agent though
Wilkins to the Raiders. $110m 4 year deal with $85m guaranteed. Imagine the Flores connection wasn’t enough to turn that deal down
Ah sorry. I came on here as soon as I saw on the Facebook. Given the comparison to Hunter, I guess an edge is a linebacker?
He's Hunter's replacement. Like for like. Hunter is probably slightly better now, but he's 3 years older.
Yeah the Greenard deal would indicate Cousins is going. Edge usually peak late 20s so he would have a couple of years with the team (and a rookie QB) before hitting his peak. Hunter would be early 30s when the rookie QB is in year 3 or 4. Wilkins is 28 so again would be in his 30s by the time the rookie QB would hopefully be ready to get to a Super Bowl, so on the decline and on big money. So yeah indicates they are looking a bit further down the line rather than “let’s win next year” mentality
An edge is someone who plays on the defensive line and tends to rush the QB. They are called Edge because they play on either end of the D Line, they can be referred to as outside linebackers as well which is slightly confusing. You get other coverage linebackers who don’t tend to rush the QB and drop back to defend passing (think Hicks/Kendricks/Pace)
4 years seems a bold move for a 36 year old. Still, can't blame Cousins for taking it. Feel like it's gonna be a rough few seasons.
I'm glad the Vikings baulked at a 4 year deal. That would have been such a bad decision to give him that length.
