MINNEAPOLIS – A month after Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer publicly backed Kirk Cousins, calling the quarterback “our boy” amid rumors and speculation about whether he could be replaced this offseason, the general manager of Minnesota’s Rick Spielman doubled his support for the QB on Wednesday.
“I think coach [Zimmer] he put him to bed when he spoke after the season, “Spielman told reporters.” Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. I know there are a lot of rumors floating around, but Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We thought he played really well, probably the best he’s ever played, for this stretch of last year.
“Kirk is our quarterback in the future, and I hope he’s interested [having] one more year in this system. I’m excited about him and what he will bring to our team next year. “
With the possibility of so many quarterback moves this offseason, Cousins ’name has been inserted into the conversation as a player who could end up starting a new team in 2021. Given that Cousins no longer has a non-exchange clause in the contract, moving him out this offseason is more feasible if Minnesota wants to exercise that option.
After signing a record three-year, $ 84 million fully guaranteed deal as a free agent in 2018, Cousins signed a two-year, $ 66 million extension last March that earned him a base salary of $ 21 million. of dollars in 2021. His base salary of $ 35 million for 2022 is fully guaranteed if he is on the list for the third day of the 2021 league year, which begins on March 17th.
Even with Spielman pouring water on any commercial speculation, the Vikings could find themselves in a position to start thinking about life after Cousins in case the team chooses to move on from quarterback after his contract expires. in 2022. With three picks in the top 92 The April NFL Draft, selecting a quarterback to end up taking on Cousins, could be part of Minnesota’s succession plan in that position.
But after Cousins threw 35 touchdowns into the career in 2020, Spielman isn’t thinking much in public about moving from quarterback, given the amount of quality seasons he feels Cousins has left.
“I never want to force you to catch a quarterback when there is no quarterback to catch, because that’s when he makes mistakes,” Spielman said. “I don’t know what the best term is to do it without putting them in quotes. … Regardless [of position], take the philosophy of the best player available where you choose. Or if there’s a guy you’re coveting that keeps pulling, aggressive enough to get up and get that player, regardless of his position.
“I still think Kirk is in the early stages of his career right now, at 32. And he has very good football left. But we’ll always see the different options and if there’s anything in the draft as well.”