Vikings Predicted to Extend $35 Million Star on 2-Year Deal

The Minnesota Vikings are focused on a playoff run with three divisional games remaining, but once the year is over they will face the same fundamental question that has hung over the organization for the past two offseasons — what is the long-term answer at quarterback?

Minnesota has run out four different starters already this season and chose to stick with Nick Mullens this Sunday when the team hosts the Detroit Lions in Minneapolis. But neither Mullens or former starter Josh Dobbs appear to be the answer to the Vikings’ franchise-defining query. There’s a small chance that rookie Jaren Hall might be, but the team’s hesitancy to start him down the stretch is not a good sign.

Kirk Cousins is the obvious choice, if said choice is confined to players currently on the roster. But he will be 36 years old next season and coming off of an Achilles tear that probably would have meant the end of his playing career in just about any other NFL era.

However, due to a lack of certainty surrounding other potential solutions at the game’s most important position, Bill Barnwell of ESPN predicted on Thursday, December 21, that Minnesota will ultimately bring Cousins back on a two-year deal that includes some flexibility in the second season.

“A reunion with Cousins makes the most sense. The defense has taken enough of a leap forward to compete immediately, and the passing attack was absolutely humming before Cousins went down injured,” Barnwell wrote. “With Cousins’ path to a Kyle Shanahan reunion blocked by Brock Purdy in San Francisco and the Vikings not really in position to ensure landing a top quarterback prospect in the draft, a two-year deal with void seasons for cap purposes would make sense for the Vikings.”