Update:Kirk Cousins Rumors Are Circulating, And The Vikings Select A Quarterback In The Mock Draft.

It’s unclear if negotiations for a new contract have advanced at all between the Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins. Minnesota needs to select an offensive signal-caller in the draft if it doesn’t happen.

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports had the Vikings trade the New England Patriots the eleventh overall pick in order to move up to the third pick and choose North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye in his most recent mock draft.

Cousins will become a free agent in March. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter noted Minnesota can’t use the franchise tag on him. Some wonder why the Vikings haven’t been more proactive.

“The Vikings are playing a dangerous game of chicken here if they want him,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said Friday on his podcast. “Maybe they don’t, and they’re looking for a way to ease out of it.”

Cousins — who underwent Achilles surgery in November — turns 36 before the beginning of next season. Spotrac estimates his market value is a three-year deal worth $39.3M annually, a lot for a QB who has one playoff win in six seasons with the Vikings.

 

It’s risky to let the four-time Pro Bowler depart in free agency, but if the team signs a quarterback like Maye, they’ll feel better about it.
He was recently ranked as the third-best quarterback by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., behind Southern Cal’s Caleb Williams and LSU’s Jayden Daniels. He threw 63 touchdown passes in three seasons with the Tar Heels. It is obvious that the 21-year-old has what it takes to be successful in head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system.