Cousins Extended

@"minny65" said: Then there is this guy:

Current ContractTom Brady signed a 1 year, $25,000,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including a $20,000,000 signing bonus, $25,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $25,000,000. In 2022, Brady will earn a base salary of $8,925,000, a signing bonus of $15,000,000, a roster bonus of $1,470,588 and a incentive bonus of $1,875,000, while carrying a cap hit of $20,270,588 and a dead cap value of $15,000,000.

@"supafreak84" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"supafreak84" said: Soo we basically got Kirk for one more year with a reduced cap hit this year, more big money next year and we now no longer control his trade option, leaving us once again scrambling in two years to figure out our QB situation as Cousins turns 36 years old, hits free agency, and any trade value would be extremely dimimished anyways. 

This is a win for Cousins and his agent, not for the Vikings. I hope O'Connell turns him into this bona-fide MVP Candidate that he thinks he can but I won't hold my breath. Oh and by the way, anybody holding out for a "stud" rookie to be drafted next year to groom can forget about it because the Vikings won't lose enough games to put us in contention to be drafting that high. This was the year and the time to make a move. Now we've essentially pigeon holed ourselves into a two year window to get it done with Cousins, a rookie coaching staff, and a defense that needs an overhaul with a new scheme being implemented. I think it's a poor strategy and will hold steadfast in that opinion until this organization proves me wrong. 

This is a fair take but it was said weeks ago that the Wilfs don’t want a rebuild. We knew this and they own the team, not us. That doesn’t make you wrong and them right but it’s the reality.

The good part of this extension is it’s short, we gain stability at the position, and we get to see what Kirk can do with KOC. The bad part is we probably won’t stink this season so we aren’t getting a crack at the blue chip QBs in 2023 (story of the franchise) and we also have a very uphill battle to win the division this year. 

If it’s true- as been reported- that KOC was adament about wanting Kirk, what can we do other than hope he knows what he’s doing. 

Well the Wilfs are fools then if they think they can overhaul the entire front office, coaching staff, and not understand that rebuilding is probably the best way to move past mediocrity. They shitcanned Zim and Spielman because they were tired of being average. That's fair..but if they think tying themselves to Cousins for two more years for big money with a rookie coaching staff and a roster with holes the size of the Grand Canyon is the roght recipe for long term Super Bowl success...they are likely very, very wrong. 

@"supafreak84" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"supafreak84" said: Soo we basically got Kirk for one more year with a reduced cap hit this year, more big money next year and we now no longer control his trade option, leaving us once again scrambling in two years to figure out our QB situation as Cousins turns 36 years old, hits free agency, and any trade value would be extremely dimimished anyways. 

This is a win for Cousins and his agent, not for the Vikings. I hope O'Connell turns him into this bona-fide MVP Candidate that he thinks he can but I won't hold my breath. Oh and by the way, anybody holding out for a "stud" rookie to be drafted next year to groom can forget about it because the Vikings won't lose enough games to put us in contention to be drafting that high. This was the year and the time to make a move. Now we've essentially pigeon holed ourselves into a two year window to get it done with Cousins, a rookie coaching staff, and a defense that needs an overhaul with a new scheme being implemented. I think it's a poor strategy and will hold steadfast in that opinion until this organization proves me wrong. 

This is a fair take but it was said weeks ago that the Wilfs don’t want a rebuild. We knew this and they own the team, not us. That doesn’t make you wrong and them right but it’s the reality.

The good part of this extension is it’s short, we gain stability at the position, and we get to see what Kirk can do with KOC. The bad part is we probably won’t stink this season so we aren’t getting a crack at the blue chip QBs in 2023 (story of the franchise) and we also have a very uphill battle to win the division this year. 

If it’s true- as been reported- that KOC was adament about wanting Kirk, what can we do other than hope he knows what he’s doing. 

Well the Wilfs are fools then if they think they can overhaul the entire front office, coaching staff, and not understand that rebuilding is probably the best way to move past mediocrity. They shitcanned Zim and Spielman because they were tired of being average. That's fair..but if they think tying themselves to Cousins for two more years for big money with a rookie coaching staff and a roster with holes the size of the Grand Canyon is the roght recipe for long term Super Bowl success...they are likely very, very wrong. Give me a young QB I can build around for the next decade, not an above average 35 year old that I'm continuously having to shell our big money for and figure out his contract. When you hit the organizational reset button like the Wilfs decided to do, that's the kind of thing you are opening themselves up for. Unfortunately for the Wilfs and all of us, we are going to get more mediocre results over the next couple years with no answer on a long term QB 

@"supafreak84" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"supafreak84" said: Soo we basically got Kirk for one more year with a reduced cap hit this year, more big money next year and we now no longer control his trade option, leaving us once again scrambling in two years to figure out our QB situation as Cousins turns 36 years old, hits free agency, and any trade value would be extremely dimimished anyways. 

This is a win for Cousins and his agent, not for the Vikings. I hope O'Connell turns him into this bona-fide MVP Candidate that he thinks he can but I won't hold my breath. Oh and by the way, anybody holding out for a "stud" rookie to be drafted next year to groom can forget about it because the Vikings won't lose enough games to put us in contention to be drafting that high. This was the year and the time to make a move. Now we've essentially pigeon holed ourselves into a two year window to get it done with Cousins, a rookie coaching staff, and a defense that needs an overhaul with a new scheme being implemented. I think it's a poor strategy and will hold steadfast in that opinion until this organization proves me wrong. 

This is a fair take but it was said weeks ago that the Wilfs don’t want a rebuild. We knew this and they own the team, not us. That doesn’t make you wrong and them right but it’s the reality.

The good part of this extension is it’s short, we gain stability at the position, and we get to see what Kirk can do with KOC. The bad part is we probably won’t stink this season so we aren’t getting a crack at the blue chip QBs in 2023 (story of the franchise) and we also have a very uphill battle to win the division this year. 

If it’s true- as been reported- that KOC was adament about wanting Kirk, what can we do other than hope he knows what he’s doing. 

Well the Wilfs are fools then if they think they can overhaul the entire front office, coaching staff, and not understand that rebuilding is probably the best way to move past mediocrity. They shitcanned Zim and Spielman because they were tired of being average. That's fair..but if they think tying themselves to Cousins for two more years for big money with a rookie coaching staff and a roster with holes the size of the Grand Canyon is the roght recipe for long term Super Bowl success...they are likely very, very wrong. Give me a young QB I can build around for the next decade, not an above average 35 year old that I'm continuously having to shell our big money for and figure out his contract. When you hit the organizational reset button like the Wilfs decided to do, that's the kind of thing you are opening themselves up for. Unfortunately for the Wilfs and all of us, we are going to get more mediocre results over the next couple years with no answer on a long term QB 

So with all this inflation, does this pay a living wage? 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"supafreak84" said: Soo we basically got Kirk for one more year with a reduced cap hit this year, more big money next year and we now no longer control his trade option, leaving us once again scrambling in two years to figure out our QB situation as Cousins turns 36 years old, hits free agency, and any trade value would be extremely dimimished anyways. 

This is a win for Cousins and his agent, not for the Vikings. I hope O'Connell turns him into this bona-fide MVP Candidate that he thinks he can but I won't hold my breath. Oh and by the way, anybody holding out for a "stud" rookie to be drafted next year to groom can forget about it because the Vikings won't lose enough games to put us in contention to be drafting that high. This was the year and the time to make a move. Now we've essentially pigeon holed ourselves into a two year window to get it done with Cousins, a rookie coaching staff, and a defense that needs an overhaul with a new scheme being implemented. I think it's a poor strategy and will hold steadfast in that opinion until this organization proves me wrong. 

This is a fair take but it was said weeks ago that the Wilfs don’t want a rebuild. We knew this and they own the team, not us. That doesn’t make you wrong and them right but it’s the reality.

The good part of this extension is it’s short, we gain stability at the position, and we get to see what Kirk can do with KOC. The bad part is we probably won’t stink this season so we aren’t getting a crack at the blue chip QBs in 2023 (story of the franchise) and we also have a very uphill battle to win the division this year. 

If it’s true- as been reported- that KOC was adament about wanting Kirk, what can we do other than hope he knows what he’s doing. 

Well the Wilfs are fools then if they think they can overhaul the entire front office, coaching staff, and not understand that rebuilding is probably the best way to move past mediocrity. They shitcanned Zim and Spielman because they were tired of being average. That's fair..but if they think tying themselves to Cousins for two more years for big money with a rookie coaching staff and a roster with holes the size of the Grand Canyon is the roght recipe for long term Super Bowl success...they are likely very, very wrong. Give me a young QB I can build around for the next decade, not an above average 35 year old that I'm continuously having to shell our big money for and figure out his contract. When you hit the organizational reset button like the Wilfs decided to do, that's the kind of thing you are opening themselves up for. Unfortunately for the Wilfs and all of us, we are going to get more mediocre results over the next couple years with no answer on a long term QB 

I don't think a single move is indicative of their path. See what happens next. If they basically "run it back" then I would ask the question, how much does a chance in FO and coaching staff really mean? But I don't think that will need to be asked. This FO will put their spin on the roster, Kirk is just going to be a part of that. 

@"supafreak84" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"supafreak84" said: Soo we basically got Kirk for one more year with a reduced cap hit this year, more big money next year and we now no longer control his trade option, leaving us once again scrambling in two years to figure out our QB situation as Cousins turns 36 years old, hits free agency, and any trade value would be extremely dimimished anyways. 

This is a win for Cousins and his agent, not for the Vikings. I hope O'Connell turns him into this bona-fide MVP Candidate that he thinks he can but I won't hold my breath. Oh and by the way, anybody holding out for a "stud" rookie to be drafted next year to groom can forget about it because the Vikings won't lose enough games to put us in contention to be drafting that high. This was the year and the time to make a move. Now we've essentially pigeon holed ourselves into a two year window to get it done with Cousins, a rookie coaching staff, and a defense that needs an overhaul with a new scheme being implemented. I think it's a poor strategy and will hold steadfast in that opinion until this organization proves me wrong. 

This is a fair take but it was said weeks ago that the Wilfs don’t want a rebuild. We knew this and they own the team, not us. That doesn’t make you wrong and them right but it’s the reality.

The good part of this extension is it’s short, we gain stability at the position, and we get to see what Kirk can do with KOC. The bad part is we probably won’t stink this season so we aren’t getting a crack at the blue chip QBs in 2023 (story of the franchise) and we also have a very uphill battle to win the division this year. 

If it’s true- as been reported- that KOC was adament about wanting Kirk, what can we do other than hope he knows what he’s doing. 

Well the Wilfs are fools then if they think they can overhaul the entire front office, coaching staff, and not understand that rebuilding is probably the best way to move past mediocrity. They shitcanned Zim and Spielman because they were tired of being average. That's fair..but if they think tying themselves to Cousins for two more years for big money with a rookie coaching staff and a roster with holes the size of the Grand Canyon is the roght recipe for long term Super Bowl success...they are likely very, very wrong. Give me a young QB I can build around for the next decade, not an above average 35 year old that I'm continuously having to shell our big money for and figure out his contract. When you hit the organizational reset button like the Wilfs decided to do, that's the kind of thing you are opening themselves up for. Unfortunately for the Wilfs and all of us, we are going to get more mediocre results over the next couple years with no answer on a long term QB 

I don't think a single move is indicative of their path. See what happens next. If they basically "run it back" then I would ask the question, how much does a chance in FO and coaching staff really mean? But I don't think that will need to be asked. This FO will put their spin on the roster, Kirk is just going to be a part of that. 

Committing themselve's to Cousins and his contract for the next two years certainly is indicative of their path now. They can spin it however they want but the smart money is on this team being average again next year with a rookie coaching staff installing new systems on both sides of the ball and a defense with holes everywhere. Say they go 7-10, or 8-9 next season (likely), that puts them going into the following season with Cousins once again entering the final year of his contract with a no trade clause in his back pocket. It also puts them out of the running to draft one of the elite prospects in 2023. This was the year to make a move, free up big cap money moving forward, and position ourselves to draft an elite QB prospect in 2023. None of that likely happens now. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"supafreak84" said: Soo we basically got Kirk for one more year with a reduced cap hit this year, more big money next year and we now no longer control his trade option, leaving us once again scrambling in two years to figure out our QB situation as Cousins turns 36 years old, hits free agency, and any trade value would be extremely dimimished anyways. 

This is a win for Cousins and his agent, not for the Vikings. I hope O'Connell turns him into this bona-fide MVP Candidate that he thinks he can but I won't hold my breath. Oh and by the way, anybody holding out for a "stud" rookie to be drafted next year to groom can forget about it because the Vikings won't lose enough games to put us in contention to be drafting that high. This was the year and the time to make a move. Now we've essentially pigeon holed ourselves into a two year window to get it done with Cousins, a rookie coaching staff, and a defense that needs an overhaul with a new scheme being implemented. I think it's a poor strategy and will hold steadfast in that opinion until this organization proves me wrong. 

This is a fair take but it was said weeks ago that the Wilfs don’t want a rebuild. We knew this and they own the team, not us. That doesn’t make you wrong and them right but it’s the reality.

The good part of this extension is it’s short, we gain stability at the position, and we get to see what Kirk can do with KOC. The bad part is we probably won’t stink this season so we aren’t getting a crack at the blue chip QBs in 2023 (story of the franchise) and we also have a very uphill battle to win the division this year. 

If it’s true- as been reported- that KOC was adament about wanting Kirk, what can we do other than hope he knows what he’s doing. 

Well the Wilfs are fools then if they think they can overhaul the entire front office, coaching staff, and not understand that rebuilding is probably the best way to move past mediocrity. They shitcanned Zim and Spielman because they were tired of being average. That's fair..but if they think tying themselves to Cousins for two more years for big money with a rookie coaching staff and a roster with holes the size of the Grand Canyon is the roght recipe for long term Super Bowl success...they are likely very, very wrong. Give me a young QB I can build around for the next decade, not an above average 35 year old that I'm continuously having to shell our big money for and figure out his contract. When you hit the organizational reset button like the Wilfs decided to do, that's the kind of thing you are opening themselves up for. Unfortunately for the Wilfs and all of us, we are going to get more mediocre results over the next couple years with no answer on a long term QB 

I don't think a single move is indicative of their path. See what happens next. If they basically "run it back" then I would ask the question, how much does a chance in FO and coaching staff really mean? But I don't think that will need to be asked. This FO will put their spin on the roster, Kirk is just going to be a part of that. 

Committing themselve's to Cousins and his contract for the next two years certainly is indicative of their path now. They can spin it however they want but the smart money is on this team being average again next year with a rookie coaching staff installing new systems on both sides of the ball and a defense with holes everywhere. Say they go 7-10, or 8-9 next season (likely), that puts them going into the following season with Cousins once again entering the final year of his contract with a no trade clause in his back pocket. It also puts them out of the running to draft one of the elite prospects in 2023. This was the year to make a move, free up big cap money moving forward, and position ourselves to draft an elite QB prospect in 2023. None of that likely happens now. 

To be fair, with Kirk under contract they are setup to have $20-30M in cap space in 2023. But aside from that, if they moved on from Kirk was your ideal scenario we bottom out, tank, and hope to get a high enough draft pick for an elite QB next year? 

If so, I think that still isn't out of the realm of possibility. The 1 year extension and NTC doesn't prevent Kirk from being traded next off-season, it just decreases the likelihood. The dead money is $18M (or so) vs. $10M this year. In a trade they would just need to find a scenario Kirk would be happy to waive the NTC for. Basically, a team who would be willing to extend him. Unlikely, but not impossible. 

Where I think this goes from here is they still work to get younger and improve the O-line/pass rush / secondary. Then they kind of see where this season goes. To you point, it could be 7-10 or 8-9. But what if under a new coaching staff the offense is a top 5 unit and they go 11-6? The margin in the NFL is just so razor thin. Next off-season they also could sell their future draft picks to go get a QB as well. The 49ers just did it and it's worked out rather well. The Ravens, Chiefs, Texans, etc.. all took that path. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"supafreak84" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"supafreak84" said: Soo we basically got Kirk for one more year with a reduced cap hit this year, more big money next year and we now no longer control his trade option, leaving us once again scrambling in two years to figure out our QB situation as Cousins turns 36 years old, hits free agency, and any trade value would be extremely dimimished anyways. 

This is a win for Cousins and his agent, not for the Vikings. I hope O'Connell turns him into this bona-fide MVP Candidate that he thinks he can but I won't hold my breath. Oh and by the way, anybody holding out for a "stud" rookie to be drafted next year to groom can forget about it because the Vikings won't lose enough games to put us in contention to be drafting that high. This was the year and the time to make a move. Now we've essentially pigeon holed ourselves into a two year window to get it done with Cousins, a rookie coaching staff, and a defense that needs an overhaul with a new scheme being implemented. I think it's a poor strategy and will hold steadfast in that opinion until this organization proves me wrong. 

This is a fair take but it was said weeks ago that the Wilfs don’t want a rebuild. We knew this and they own the team, not us. That doesn’t make you wrong and them right but it’s the reality.

The good part of this extension is it’s short, we gain stability at the position, and we get to see what Kirk can do with KOC. The bad part is we probably won’t stink this season so we aren’t getting a crack at the blue chip QBs in 2023 (story of the franchise) and we also have a very uphill battle to win the division this year. 

If it’s true- as been reported- that KOC was adament about wanting Kirk, what can we do other than hope he knows what he’s doing. 

Well the Wilfs are fools then if they think they can overhaul the entire front office, coaching staff, and not understand that rebuilding is probably the best way to move past mediocrity. They shitcanned Zim and Spielman because they were tired of being average. That's fair..but if they think tying themselves to Cousins for two more years for big money with a rookie coaching staff and a roster with holes the size of the Grand Canyon is the roght recipe for long term Super Bowl success...they are likely very, very wrong. Give me a young QB I can build around for the next decade, not an above average 35 year old that I'm continuously having to shell our big money for and figure out his contract. When you hit the organizational reset button like the Wilfs decided to do, that's the kind of thing you are opening themselves up for. Unfortunately for the Wilfs and all of us, we are going to get more mediocre results over the next couple years with no answer on a long term QB 

I don't think a single move is indicative of their path. See what happens next. If they basically "run it back" then I would ask the question, how much does a chance in FO and coaching staff really mean? But I don't think that will need to be asked. This FO will put their spin on the roster, Kirk is just going to be a part of that. 

Committing themselve's to Cousins and his contract for the next two years certainly is indicative of their path now. They can spin it however they want but the smart money is on this team being average again next year with a rookie coaching staff installing new systems on both sides of the ball and a defense with holes everywhere. Say they go 7-10, or 8-9 next season (likely), that puts them going into the following season with Cousins once again entering the final year of his contract with a no trade clause in his back pocket. It also puts them out of the running to draft one of the elite prospects in 2023. This was the year to make a move, free up big cap money moving forward, and position ourselves to draft an elite QB prospect in 2023. None of that likely happens now. 

To be fair, with Kirk under contract they are setup to have $20-30M in cap space in 2023. But aside from that, if they moved on from Kirk was your ideal scenario we bottom out, tank, and hope to get a high enough draft pick for an elite QB next year? 

If so, I think that still isn't out of the realm of possibility. The 1 year extension and NTC doesn't prevent Kirk from being traded next off-season, it just decreases the likelihood. The dead money is $18M (or so) vs. $10M this year. In a trade they would just need to find a scenario Kirk would be happy to waive the NTC for. Basically, a team who would be willing to extend him. Unlikely, but not impossible. 

Where I think this goes from here is they still work to get younger and improve the O-line/pass rush / secondary. Then they kind of see where this season goes. To you point, it could be 7-10 or 8-9. But what if under a new coaching staff the offense is a top 5 unit and they go 11-6? The margin in the NFL is just so razor thin. Next off-season they also could sell their future draft picks to go get a QB as well. The 49ers just did it and it's worked out rather well. The Ravens, Chiefs, Texans, etc.. all took that path. 

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Oddly structured extension but I'll take it 

The story behind that is the Vikings wanted to tack on void years and Kirk would only do it if they offered at least a 1 year extension on the deal and no-trade clause. So Vikings were left deciding on a trade now or this deal they took. 

So @MarkSP was right. Interesting. Kirk always the team player! /s

Yes he was, I figured Kirk would add them since it only benefitted him. But if you can get an extra $35M in the process, why not. 

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Oddly structured extension but I'll take it 

The story behind that is the Vikings wanted to tack on void years and Kirk would only do it if they offered at least a 1 year extension on the deal and no-trade clause. So Vikings were left deciding on a trade now or this deal they took. 

So @MarkSP was right. Interesting. Kirk always the team player! /s

Yes he was, I figured Kirk would add them since it only benefitted him. But if you can get an extra $35M in the process, why not. 

I'm not into being right or wrong.  I was just debating it with the limited logic I have left.  It did not make sense to me, if I was thinking like his agent, to let them add void years and have my client vulnerable to anything. Injuries can happen (knock on wood).

I am often very very wrong.  Here is all you need to know about my QB evaluation capabilities.

I wanted to trade UP for Tim Tebow and would still do it today!

But I am a stubborn old goat.

@"MarkSP18" said:

I wanted to trade UP for Tim Tebow and would still do it today!

But I am a stubborn old goat.

Former QBs are either clueless or full of you know what. 

https://twitter.com/christomasson/status/1503185007644495874

Man the OC must have been pretty horrible to hold down the QB.

How much better is Cousins going to get from his numbers last year?  40 TDs?  50 TDs?

The Chiefs vs Bills playoff game showed the kind of QB we need to one day have.  A QB that can make some extra plays after already playing well during a game.

I cannot even think of one time Cousins made a play on his own because they are rare.  Very rare.

@"comet52" said:

@"MarkSP18" said:

I wanted to trade UP for Tim Tebow and would still do it today!

But I am a stubborn old goat.

That's not stubborn, that's psychotic.   B)

@"JustinTime18™" said:

@"MarkSP18" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"pattersaur" said:

@"Geoff Nichols" said:

@"MaroonBells" said: Oddly structured extension but I'll take it 

The story behind that is the Vikings wanted to tack on void years and Kirk would only do it if they offered at least a 1 year extension on the deal and no-trade clause. So Vikings were left deciding on a trade now or this deal they took. 

So @MarkSP was right. Interesting. Kirk always the team player! /s

Yes he was, I figured Kirk would add them since it only benefitted him. But if you can get an extra $35M in the process, why not. 

I'm not into being right or wrong.  I was just debating it with the limited logic I have left.  It did not make sense to me, if I was thinking like his agent, to let them add void years and have my client vulnerable to anything. Injuries can happen (knock on wood).

I am often very very wrong.  Here is all you need to know about my QB evaluation capabilities.

I wanted to trade UP for Tim Tebow and would still do it today!

But I am a stubborn old goat.

As a 4th string TE?

just get me a SB victory and all is good

First off folks, he’s no longer a “big money QB”. He’s finally being paid commensurate with his production and not overpaid by a consistently desperate Spielman. Seriously nice job by Kwesi. 
Secondly, the no trade clause means very little. All it does is keep the Vikings from trading him to the worst team in the league. It simply gives him a say in where he’s going. Once teams let a guy know they want to trade him, they typically don’t say “no way keep me around”. What they do is work with the team to find a new place to play. Then they waive the NTC. You’re about to witness Deshaun Watson do exactly that. Once he decides on a team and the details are worked out, he’ll waive it and the deal is done. Simple. 
Now with that said, get ready for two years of Cousins. Unless he suddenly gets horrible, he’ll be our starter for the next two years. Hopefully he can continue to keep our offense effective. I’m definitely happy he agreed to do a more cap friendly deal. I guarantee he left some money on the table. Likely a good $10 million+. 
We are not nearly as far away from being a competitive team as some of you envision. We have the high level efficient QB in place. Now we need to build the other necessary component of a championship level team. A competitive defense. It’s been a couple of rough years. Had we been able to get even average play out of them we’d have been in the playoffs each year. People get lost in Cousins pay and fail to realize they’ve been paying a lot to our defense as well. One of the higher paid in the league each year. You want to talk “mediocre”, heck we could have won a lot more games with mediocre play by our defense. 
The truth is, we’ve sucked because our defense can’t stop anyone. They struggled against bad teams and got smoked by good teams. Speaking of good teams, we’ve played an inordinate number of them the past two years. Hopefully next year it will let up a bit. 
At least Cousins performs for his money. In general our offense holds up their end. I can’t say the same about many on our defense. It’s a team sport folks, there has to be balance. Today’s contract will go a long ways in freeing up money to add a couple of real defenders in FA. This draft is excellent for defense, but I’m focused on FA and we will have some options. 
I’m hopeful we can keep Hunter as a rush LB and have either Barr signed to be on the other side or a similar type of player. That could make a lot of trouble for an offensive line trying to figure out who’s coming. 
I know it’s easy to get down. It’s been a rough couple of years. Losing every game, except the one Cousins didn’t play in, by 8 points or less was truly brutal and frustrating. Let’s see what these guys can do in free agency and the draft. You just might find some reasons for optimism. 

@"Havoc1649" said: First off folks, he’s no longer a “big money QB”. He’s finally being paid commensurate with his production and not overpaid by a consistently desperate Spielman. Seriously nice job by Kwesi. 

Secondly, the no trade clause means very little. All it does is keep the Vikings from trading him to the worst team in the league. It simply gives him a say in where he’s going. Once teams let a guy know they want to trade him, they typically don’t say “no way keep me around”. What they do is work with the team to find a new place to play. Then they waive the NTC. You’re about to witness Deshaun Watson do exactly that. Once he decides on a team and the details are worked out, he’ll waive it and the deal is done. Simple.  Now with that said, get ready for two years of Cousins. Unless he suddenly gets horrible, he’ll be our starter for the next two years. Hopefully he can continue to keep our offense effective. I’m definitely happy he agreed to do a more cap friendly deal. I guarantee he left some money on the table. Likely a good $10 million+.  We are not nearly as far away from being a competitive team as some of you envision. We have the high level efficient QB in place. Now we need to build the other necessary component of a championship level team. A competitive defense. It’s been a couple of rough years. Had we been able to get even average play out of them we’d have been in the playoffs each year. People get lost in Cousins pay and fail to realize they’ve been paying a lot to our defense as well. One of the higher paid in the league each year. You want to talk “mediocre”, heck we could have won a lot more games with mediocre play by our defense.  The truth is, we’ve sucked because our defense can’t stop anyone. They struggled against bad teams and got smoked by good teams. Speaking of good teams, we’ve played an inordinate number of them the past two years. Hopefully next year it will let up a bit.  At least Cousins performs for his money. In general our offense holds up their end. I can’t say the same about many on our defense. It’s a team sport folks, there has to be balance. Today’s contract will go a long ways in freeing up money to add a couple of real defenders in FA. This draft is excellent for defense, but I’m focused on FA and we will have some options.  I’m hopeful we can keep Hunter as a rush LB and have either Barr signed to be on the other side or a similar type of player. That could make a lot of trouble for an offensive line trying to figure out who’s coming.  I know it’s easy to get down. It’s been a rough couple of years. Losing every game, except the one Cousins didn’t play in, by 8 points or less was truly brutal and frustrating. Let’s see what these guys can do in free agency and the draft. You just might find some reasons for optimism. 

The bottom line is would you rather have Cousins for two years (like you said) working with a rookie coaching staff installing new schemes, a putrid defense, and no answers at the position after his two years are done and Kirk is a 36 years old free agent with a no trade clause...

Or would you rather have traded him now while the QB market is hot and the draft lacked, used the cap money saved and trade assets acquired to rebuild the roster while likely positioning yourself to land an elite QB prospect in 2023 and making a legit run at this thing into the future...?

I'd have taken the latter option every day of the week. Kwesi took the "let's try and win now" option (maybe at the direction of the Wilfs) and I think it was completely the wrong move to make. OConnell wanted Kirk, well now he's got Kirk for two years...so let's see this great offense and hope it was all worth it. My money's on it won't be.  

It was only ever going to get so good. Its an improvement, but of course it won't please everyone. The new FO and HC were saddled with a guaranteed contract number for their QB. Its a process of mitigating the situation and then deciding what the best course of action is: which may be making a little chicken salad out of chicken shit. Just because its been reported some teams were interested in trading for Cousins doesn't mean they were good offers.