Where Will Kirko Chainz Be Next Season

Kirk Cousins aka “Kirko Chains” after a big win on Monday Night Football against the previously 5-1 San Fransisco 49ers.

The Vikings have a big decision to make this offseason regarding Kirk Cousins. Given Kirk's age (35) and previously “average” performance it previously looked like Kirk's time in Minnesota might be coming to an end. Now the Vikings find themselves in a tricky spot. Regardless of Minnesota's slow start, Kirk has quietly been one of the league's top quarterbacks, posting top five numbers in categories such as passing yards (2nd), touchdowns (1st), and completion percentage (5th). After measly 1-4 start, the Vikings have now won two straight games, including one against one of the league's juggernauts, the San Fransisco 49ers. They now sit at 3-4 just on the outside of playoff contention in an NFC that is quite frankly wide open. With the trade deadline approaching and the Vikings suddenly in contention for a playoff spot it looks as if the Vikings will hold on to Kirk and allow him to become a free agent this off-season. Now, the question remains, where will Cousins play next season?

Kirk will demand around 38-42 million per year in free agency and will likely be looking for a multi-year contract. If the Vikings want to shell out that money it's going to come at a cost and I'm not just referring to the 40 million dollars it might cost them, I am referring to the other players the Vikings may have to let walk if they decide to pay Kirk the big bucks. Defensive anchors Daniel Hunter who leads the league in sacks (9) and Marcus Davenport are also upcoming free agents. Signing Kirk might mean Hunter and Davenport are out the door which would really hurt an already struggling Vikings Defense. Not only would the Vikings likely not be able to re-sign their own free agents, but they also wouldn't have the opportunity to be active in free agency which they could really benefit from. Not to mention the fact that the Vikings are going to have to account for possibly the biggest non-QB contract of all time when it's time to re-sign Justin Jefferson.

With all that being said the Vikings have two options. One is to let Kirk walk, save some money, sure up the defense, draft a QB from a pretty stacked 2024 class, and start a rebuild phase around their young studs like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The other is to hold onto Kirk, move forward with their lackluster defense, and hope to rebuild it in the draft and prevail in the playoffs with a star-studded offense.

Letting Kirk go would be a tough decision given his performance but it seems like the right one to me. The Vikings have too much young talent to keep fighting for a wild card spot and be a potential first-round exit every year. It's not Kirk's fault but it seems like the time for Kirk to find a new home where he can potentially make a run to the Super Bowl. I'm sure by the end of the season there will be a team or two like the New York Jets this year that are “only a QB away” that would welcome the presence of Kirk who despite his age is playing the best football of his career.