Until the last day of the game, the Minnesota Vikings still had a chance of taking part in the NFL playoffs. In the end it wasn’t enough to make it into the postseason. The Vikings had to do without their quarterback Kirk Cousins for half the season. He has now at least given positive signals for staying in Minnesota – and is even prepared to cut his salary.
The playmaker explained this to reporters on Monday. “I think God has blessed me more financially than I could have ever imagined. So at this stage of my career, it’s not about the dollars anymore,” says Cousins, making it clear that he’s in favor of staying in his sport Homeland has also had to make compromises in recent years.
The question of giving his teams a “hometown discount” has been on his mind his entire career, said the playmaker.
The veteran also had a story from the old days: “I had a coach that I was with who was a younger coach at the time,” said Cousins. “It was eight, nine years ago, before my first franchise day, and we talked about the situation and he had some great advice. He said, ‘Kirk, it’s not about the dollars, it’s about what the dollars represent.’ That was an interesting comment from him.”
NFL: Vikings will need cap space for Jefferson
One thing is clear: If the Minnesota Vikings want to continue with Cousins, they will accept the playmaker’s offer with a kiss. After all, the Vikings can use every dollar because there are contract discussions with wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the short to medium term.
The pass receiver is now on the 5th-year option for the coming season and is considered perhaps the best wide receiver in the league. It’s clear that the Vikings want to keep their best player. But it is also clear that this will not be cheap.
Jefferson missed eight games this past regular season, but still managed over 1,000 yards. For an extension, Minnesota would probably have to shell out at least $30 million per year, which is what Tyreek Hill currently earns as the highest-paid wide receiver.