All Things 2024 Minnesota Vikings Off-Season Thread

If Atlanta … overpays for Cousins, then it is what it is. Nothing can really be said, other than that’s a push.

No crow for me.

Is what it is. Onwards to a competitive 2024 season with the objective top ownership in the NFL.


Well, one thing can be objectively said: $28M dead cap.
Costco called and said Bull 💩. The six pallets are on the way. Good luck explaining that to your household.

BTW, these negotiations aren’t like trying to hustle a 🚘 salesman at a Dealership. Your first offer is basically your best offer - Cousin’s ain’t that agent’s only client and if it dregs out then the Vikings can’t effectively negotiate with other FAs as they have no idea what their budget is without resolution regarding Cousins. This is the epitome of time sensitive negotiations; that’s why the FA team has an open window to negotiate first

Think ♟️ not checkers😉
 


How is it wasted? You don't get to carry over unused salary cap space? It depends who it is. If it's someone you are confident will be contributing in 2026 and beyond, sign them. I'd say Greenard qualifies. Otherwise, yes make sure it's a deal that can be gotten rid of after one year if necessary.
Van Ginkle is also a tremendous signing along with Greenard. Does it really matter if you don't have a top 15 QB in the league.

I'm totally fine with letting Cousins walk but the reality is that ATL really only owes $45M per year for 2024 and 2025 which is the going rate in the NFL. With Kirk officially gone, the reality is some very bad offensive football is upon us.
 











Adding Greenard, Van Winkle and Cashman is a tremendous day for our defense. I can't stand the guy but not signing Russ for $1M seems like a huge mistake if we really wanted to maximize our chances of winning this year IMO.
 

I think the Salary Cap going up played right into Cousins hands. The value perception has changed virtually overnight.

Wife from the area, knows the head coach who is also starting fresh, winnable Division, weren't that bad last year to begin with...makes sense.
Who were the Falcons bidding against though?
 





While not super-close, I was a heck of a lot closer than those people saying Kirk was going to be getting $30MM/year.

I predicted 3/$125 ($41.66 AAV)
He got 4/$180 ($45 AAV)

Honestly, it's really only a 2-year deal. This is a very favorable deal for Atlanta, IMO. You pay him the going rate for 2 years. If you want to go in another direction you cut him and eat $10MM. Or you keep him on for years 3 and/or 4. Don't know what the dead cap money looks like if cut in years 3/4, but if that's not crazy, I'd say this is a win for ATL. I really think Kirk could have held out and gotten 3 years guaranteed.

Post from 1/9:
These are the free agent QB's this year:
https://sports.yahoo.com/13-nfl-quarterbacks-free-agents-202717864.html

Spoiler alert, it's Cousins and that's it. He will have market cornered for the teams looking for a free agent QB. My guess as to what he'll get is 3 years/$125MM (not including any potential BS "void" years and/or fake salary cap shenanigans). He's not a runner, and he's been incredibly durable, so the Achilles injury likely isn't a huge deal if he passes medical exams. Look below at the current QB contracts. Ryan freakin' Tannehill was making $29.5MM/year this year, Derek Carr is at $37.5MM/year and Daniel Jones is at $40MM/year. While those are all just bad signings, it 100% goes into determining Cousins' value as it "sets the market". I would say Matt Stafford seems like a good corollary to Cousins' value.

Length of term is likely going to be the biggest thing he'll be negotiating. A 2 year deal has him re-hitting FA at 38, which is not ideal. He would likely take less money to get a 3 or 4 year deal which would likely be his final FA deal. OR he really values a SB ring and takes less money to sign with a legit contender he sees actually being able to make a run.
 





NFL Network reported the Vikings made a last ditch offer and were rebuffed.
I don't buy it.

The Falcons' offer was good, not great. The Vikings could have easily beat that or matched it.

I don't think there was ever any serious intent to keep him.
 




NFL Network reported the Vikings made a last ditch offer and were rebuffed.
Please Kirk we can only offer 2 years @40
Perr year! That’s $80 guaranteed!!

But you don’t have to move and we’ll guarantee you a spot in The Ring of Honor!!!
 

Adding Greenard, Van Winkle and Cashman is a tremendous day for our defense. I can't stand the guy but not signing Russ for $1M seems like a huge mistake if we really wanted to maximize our chances of winning this year IMO.
Still need a DT, CB and maybe a safety.
 

Here's the plan.

Draft a DT, either Murphy or Newton. Maybe trade down to get one of those 2 and acquire another pick.

Draft CB or interior OL in Round 2. Draft both if they traded down and obtained a 2nd Rounder.

Sign a "bridge" QB with internal intent to lose, but sell it publicly.

Lose a lot next year, but have good talent on offense and an improving defense.

Draft Ewers or Sanders next year.
 

Glad Barkley got paid - always liked him and they’ll love him in Philly. Man the Giants could be Uber brutal next season - Yikes
 







Top Bottom