The Minnesota Vikings are seemingly in the front seat to land top free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Although the deal has not been finalized as of Tuesday the Vikings have reportedly offered Cousins a three-year $84 million (fully guaranteed) contract.
Although he will visit other teams after visiting the Vikings on Wednesday, it’s unlikely they stand a chance to sign the former Washington Redskins passer and multiple sources believe that Cousins will ultimately sign with Minnesota.
The Vikings and Cousins just have to work out the finalizing details of a contract that will apparently make him the highest paid quarterback in football.
With Case Keenum reportedly signing with the Denver Broncos and Cousins with the Vikings that now leaves the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns as teams that are actively chasing a starting quarterback.
Fellow former Vikings Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford are reportedly off the market too. Bridgewater will likely head to the New York Jets, where he will compete with incumbents Josh McCown and whoever the Jets draft; and Sam Bradford will sign with the Arizona Cardinals to become their starter.
Cousins, drafted in 2012 by the Washington Redskins, has topped 4,000 passing yards in each of the last three seasons. As the Redskins starter, he’s completed 67 percent of his throws for 81 touchdowns, 36 interceptions, and a 97.5 passer rating.
Cousins, expected to sign the deal on Thursday, will become the eighth quarterback to start a season opener for the Vikings in the last nine years.
Although this signing would represent a big hit in the Vikings cap space they are a team that is pretty much set up in most areas as they don’t have a lot of needs and Cousins could represent the final piece of the puzzle to help them win their first Super Bowl.
After all, the Vikings just reached the NFC Championship game and already own several weapons for Cousins to work with such as good and speedy receivers, a solid and revamped offensive line and most importantly, a very nasty defense.
