MINNEAPOLIS – One month after Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer publicly backed Kirk Cousins, calling the defender “our guy” amid rumors and speculation that he could be changed this season , Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman doubled his support for QB on Wednesday.
“I think coach [Zimmer] he put that to bed when he spoke after the season, “Spielman told reporters.” Kirk Cousins is our defender. I know there are a lot of rumors floating around, but Kirk Cousins is our defender. I felt that he played very well, probably the best he ever played, at that time last year.
“Kirk is our defender in the future and I look forward to him [having] another year in this system. I am delighted with him and with what he will bring to our team next year. “
With the potential for so many quarterback moves this offseason, the name Cousins was inserted into the conversation as a player who could start for a new team in 2021. Given that Cousins no longer has a clause. ban in the contract, switching from him out of this season is more feasible if Minnesota wants to exercise that option.
After signing a record three-year contract with $ 84 million fully guaranteed as a free agent in 2018, Cousins signed a two-year, $ 66 million extension last March that earns him a base salary of $ 21 million in 2021. His base salary of $ 35 million for 2022 becomes fully guaranteed if he is on the list on the third day of the 2021 league year, which begins on March 17th.
Even with Spielman pouring water on any commercial speculation, the Vikings may be in a position to start thinking about life after Cousins should the team choose to move on from defender after the contract his expires in 2022. With three picks in the top 92 in the NFL Draft in April, selecting a quarterback to eventually take over the Cousins could be part of Minnesota’s succession plan in that position.
But after Cousins launched 35 career touchdowns in 2020, Spielman doesn’t think too much of the public to move from quarterback, given how many quality seasons he feels Cousins has left.
“I never want to force you to take a defender when there is no defender to take there, because then you make mistakes,” Spielman said. “I don’t know the best term to use without you putting it in quotes … Regardless [of position], take the philosophy of the best player available wherever you choose. Or if there is a guy you covet and who is still standing, being aggressive enough to get up and get that player, no matter the position.
“I still think Kirk is currently at the peak of his career, at 32. And he still has a lot of good football in him. But we will always look at the different options and if there is anything in the draft as well.”