![Kirk Cousins preparing to make his name with the Minnesota Vikings [Image by Keith Allison / Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/5/27/660x290/b_502x220x82/kirk-cousins-preparing-to-make-his-name-with-the-minnesota-vikings-image-by-keith-allison-flickr_2011383.jpg "Kirk Cousins preparing to make his name with the Minnesota Vikings [Image by Keith Allison / Flickr]")
For the last few years, Kirk Cousins played for the Washington Redskins and wanted a new contract with a long-term deal to keep him secure. The Redskins refused every year and kept placing the franchise tag on him, paying him huge sums of money for one-year deals but never committing to him long-term. If the Redskins tried that again this year, it would have cost close to $30 million and they finally balked. They also didn’t commit to Cousins and signed Alex Smith instead. Cousins left and signed with the Minnesota Vikings and looks to prove his worth to his new team.
Kirk Cousins deal
After the Washington Redskins refused to commit to Kirk Cousins long-term, the Minnesota Vikings had no problem paying him a 100-percent guaranteed $84 million for three seasons. It isn’t long-term, but it is one of the first completely guaranteed contracts in NFL history. Meanwhile, the same Redskins who refused to give Cousins a long-term deal gave Alex Smith $94 million over four seasons with $71 million guaranteed.
Over the past three seasons, Kirk Cousins averaged 4,392 passing yards, 27 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Alex Smith has been a started since 2006, splitting time between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs. In his five seasons with the Chiefs, he has averaged 3,521 passing yards with 17 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
Looking at those numbers, one might wonder why the Washington Redskins never wanted to commit to Cousins.
The Vikings and Cousins in 2018
In 2017, the Minnesota Vikings made it to the playoffs without great quarterback play. Their most talented starter was Sam Bradford, but he spent too much time injured. They also had their former franchise hopeful in Teddy Bridgewater, who only attempted two passes.
Finally, their star last season was Case Keenum, who helped lead them to the playoffs with inspired, mistake-free play. Now, Bradford is starting in Arizona, Bridgewater is backing up for the New York Jets and Keenum is in Denver.
Now, the Minnesota Vikings are Kirk Cousins team. Cousins showed up early, meeting wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen and running back Mack Brown.
The three worked out some together to get familiar with each other and it is clear that Cousins sees this not only as a chance to start over but a chance to prove everyone that doubted him with the Washington Redskins wrong. Cousins said the offseason meeting wasn’t just about Football but about getting to know each other and work on their chemistry.
Basically, Kirk Cousins is finally ready to become someone’s franchise NFL quarterback. After years of the Washington Redskins refusing to commit, that team is now the Minnesota Vikings.
