Kirk Cousins Leads Class Of Big Names Into Free Agency, Barring Early Morning Surprise
It's rare when an NFL team simply lets one of its players it believes can take them to a Super Bowl to leave in free agency. And it's super odd when that player is a quarterback, because look what happened with Tom Brady years ago. But here we are with the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins.
The Vikings and Cousins have been discussing a contract extension for some time now, with the latest talks adjourning late Sunday afternoon with only one agreement:
That, barring some unforeseen breakthrough, Cousins would not be re-signing with the Vikings without at least exploring the start of the NFL's negotiating period Monday.
Oct 23, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium. (Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USATODAY Sports)
Vikes: Cousins Can Win ‘Ultimate Prize’
At noon (EDT) Monday and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. Wednesday, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the agents of players who will become unrestricted free agents upon the expiration of their 2023 contract.
The plan is for Cousins to go through that negotiation exercise with teams possibly including the Atlanta Falcons, and Las Vegas Raiders -- despite all the faith, trust and confidence the Vikings have said they have in their quarterback.
"We have our interests. He has his," Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said recently. "We’ll get to the table to see if we can figure out a creative solution and kind of meet in the middle. That's what every contract negotiation is.
"What we do know is, we have a really great quarterback, a great leader, somebody that we think we can win the ultimate prize with. And so that's ultimately what I focus on."
So, yes, the Vikings love Cousins. And they think they can win it all with Cousins. But go ahead, Kirk, go talk to other teams.
It seems an odd way to conduct business, even for businesses that do stupid stuff all the time.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 07: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans waves to fans after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Derrick Henry Seems Headed Out
But multiple NFL teams are using that strategy for different reasons, including managing salary cap constraints, needing to get younger, resetting the roster, or simply wanting someone else.
And it's happening with some outstanding players.
The Tennessee Titans and running back Derrick Henry, for example, seem on the precipice of parting ways after eight seasons. Henry, a free agent, is expected to field calls on Monday from teams including the Ravens, Cowboys, Raiders, possibly the Philadelphia Eagles, and maybe others.
Henry is 30 years old. And there's 2,030 NFL carries on his legs.
But he's a five-time 1,000-yard rusher, a three-time 1,500-yard rusher and a 2,027-yard rusher in 2020. He's been selected to the Pro Bowl four times, including each of the past two seasons.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Christian Wilkins #94 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Christian Wilkins Wants The Bag
The Dolphins are letting defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, a 2019 first-round pick, hit free agency barring a late change in thinking. Wilkins is the best interior defensive lineman left unsigned after Chris Jones agreed to a deal on Sunday and Justin Madubuike agreed to one last week.
But the Dolphins are in a bit of a cap bind, while Wilkins believes he's one of the NFL's best interior players and should be paid like it.
Bobby Wagner's on-again, off-again Pro Bowl career with the Seattle Seahawks is apparently off again. He's been to the Pro Bowl nine times, including last year when he delivered 183 tackles.
But the Seahawks are changing defensive schemes under new coach Mike Macdonald and there's apparently no room to pay a 34-year-old (in June) on a team starting something of a rebuild.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 10: Zach Wilson #2 of the New York Jets is sacked during the second half by Jonathan Greenard #52 of the Houston Texans at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
Pass Rushers Galore In Free Agency
The pass rusher market is going to be interesting.
The Texans would love to keep Jonathan Greenard and his 12.5 sacks from a year ago. The Vikings would like to keep Danielle Hunter and his 62 sacks from the past six seasons, including a career-high 16.5 last season. And the Jets would love to retain Bryce Huff after developing him into a 10-sack defensive end at age 25.
But the Vikings are still doing the Cousins thing.
The Jets, working with modest salary cap space, may not be able to afford Huff.
And the Texans, well, they've got plenty of cap room and a need to add rather than lose talent, so no idea what they're thinking.
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants warms up prior to an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on January 7. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Running Backs On Free Agency Parade
The Jaguars would admit Calvin Ridley and quarterback Trevor Lawrence took a minute to find their chemistry last season, but it worked anyway because the receiver still finished with 1,018 receiving yards and 8 TDS.
But, well, money. So, barring a late agreement, Ridley is expected to be speaking with other teams at noon.
There's also the saturated running back market that includes Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley. Both players want deals north of the $12 million per year average. Most teams don't want to pay that much, including the Giants and Raiders, respectively.
So, again, barring an epiphany by the players or their teams, both productive former first-round picks are seemingly headed to free agency.
They're going to have a lot of company.