The Minnesota Vikings are entering a crucial period ahead of the upcoming free agency. Their star quarterback Kirk Cousins is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the 2024 off-season. The Vikings still have 3 weeks to re-sign Cousins to a contract extension before he can test free agency. But, the Vikings are hesitant to give a fully guaranteed contract to either Cousins or Justin Jefferson.

According to Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer , the Vikings don’t want to hand out a fully guaranteed deal to Cousins, who suffered a season-ending injury in 2023. Cousins is still recovering from his injury, but he is expected to be fully ready ahead of the 2024 season.

The current Minnesota brass, now going into its third season, really likes Cousins, but it’s also been made clear that they’re not going to go contractually where the previous regime did twice, and give Cousins a fully guaranteed deal. Albert Breer wrote in his article
Just a few days ago, NBC’s Mike Florio reported that the Vikings are not willing to give a fully guaranteed contract to their star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. According to Florio, the Minnesota-based franchise has an internal rule about not giving fully guaranteed contracts to non-QBs. The Vikings are reportedly ready to make Jefferson the highest-paid non-QB in the league, but they are unwilling to give him a fully-guaranteed deal.

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: #Vikings are not willing to give Kirk Cousins a fully guaranteed contract per, @AlbertBreer

Cousins has had a fully guaranteed contract in each of his six seasons in Minnesota.

Where will Kirk play in 2024? pic.twitter.com/Z0UA7E1Hdr

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 19, 2024

In Cousin’s case, it’s different. Throughout his tenure in Minnesota, quarterback Kirk Cousins signed 2 fully guaranteed contracts. But now, the organization doesn’t want to do it. It’s understandable given that Cousins is 35-year-old and is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.

But if they fail to extend Cousins before the free agency deadline, he would be free to sign with any other team. The Vikings don’t have an option to franchise tag cousins and multiple teams will be ready to pounce on him in free agency.

Potential landing spots for Kirk Cousins if Vikings fail to re-sign him
With just a few weeks left for the star of NFL free agency, there’s a possibility the Vikings might part ways with Kirk Cousins. If they fail to re-sign him, what would be good landing spots for the 4-time Pro Bowler?

Cousins was in the middle of a stellar season before he suffered a season-ending injury. The 35-year-old still has a lot left in the tank and many teams would be willing to use him as their bridge quarterback.

𝗥𝗨𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗦: The #Vikings want Kirk Cousins back on the team next season but will “explore all options” in the event that Cousins signs elsewhere, per @TomPelissero

Cousins is expected to have a very strong market despite his age and the recent Achilles injury he suffered. He… pic.twitter.com/7CIfiC9sB9

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) February 11, 2024

Teams like the Atlanta Falcons, the Las Vegas Raiders, and the Denver Broncos are in the market for a quarterback and might look at Cousins as an option.

As for Cousins, he would much rather stay in Minnesota instead of landing in a new system at this stage of his career. But, he wouldn’t hesitate to join another team if the Vikings fail to satisfy him with their new contract.