MINNEAPOLIS – A month after Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer publicly supported Kirk Cousins and called the quarterback ‘our guy’ amid rumors and speculation about whether he could be traded in the off-season, Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman doubled his support for the QB on Wednesday. .
‘I think Coach [Zimmer] lay it in bed as he spoke after the season, “Spielman told reporters.” Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. I know there’s a lot of rumors floating around, but Kirk Cousins is our quarterback. We felt he played very well last year, probably the best he has ever played.
‘Kirk is our quarter forward, and I’m looking forward to him [having] another year in this system. I’m excited for him and what he’s going to bring to our team next year. ‘
With the potential for so much quarterback movement during the season, Cousins’ name has been included in the conversation as a player who could start a new team in 2021. Since Cousins no longer has a trade terms in his contract, to move on from him this season is more feasible if Minnesota wants to use the option.
After Cousins fully guaranteed a record $ 3 million and $ 84 million in 2018 as a free agent, Cousins signed a two-year extension, $ 66 million, that will pay him $ 21 million in 2021. earn. His base salary of $ 35 million for 2022 is fully guaranteed if he is on the list on the third day of the league year 2021, which starts on March 17.
Even while Spielman pours out any trade speculation, the Vikings may find themselves in a position to think of Cousins alive, should the team decide to step down from the quarterback after his 2022 contract expired. With three picks within the top 92 in April’s NFL draft pick a quarterback to eventually take over for Cousins could be part of Minnesota’s follow-up plan on the post.
But after Cousins had a career high of 35 in 2020, Spielman does not pay much attention to leaving the quarterback, given how many seasons he has left of Cousins.
“I never want to force you to take a quarterback when there is no quarterback, because that’s when you make mistakes,” Spielman said. ‘I do not 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 man you desire who is still hanging around, aggressive enough to go up and get that player, regardless of position.
“I think Kirk is still in the prime of his career at 32. He still has a lot of good football in him. But we will always look at the different options and if there is something in the concept as well.”