By Cashton Newgaard
The NFL landscape is constantly evolving, with players moving between teams for various reasons. One such notable transition was Kirk Cousins’ departure from the Minnesota Vikings. His departure marked the end of an era in Minnesota as he and the team could not come to terms with the new contract extension. Cousins wanted too much money, that’s all we as fans can say. Cousins is a quarterback known for his consistency and deadly accuracy. He had been seen as the central figure since joining the team in 2018, with some very impressive seasons. But as we all know, you don’t really know how good a quarterback is until he wins the big game.
Cousin’s time with the Vikings had its ups and downs, both good and bad seasons. Cousins proved his ability to come up and deliver clutch performances. But the team’s overall success, particularly in the playoffs, always fell short. We always manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The team couldn’t rely on just Kirk to make it, we need more. Pretty soon we have to realize that it’s not Kirk’s fault that we aren’t winning the big game. Cousins received way too much criticism for his inability to achieve a successful playoff run.
Several factors likely contributed to Cousins’ departure from Minnesota. One primary consideration is the financial aspect. Cousins’ hefty contract, signed in 2018, made him one of the highest paid quarterbacks in the league. While spectators thought his contract was justified, management started to see his contract as a significant portion of the team’s salary cap which as we all know limits the amount of money we can pay other high end players. As the team looked into the long-term setting, they came to the conclusion that parting ways with Cousins may be deemed as necessary for financial stability and hitting roster optimization that we are capable of.
Cousins’ season ending Achilles tear was a major impact in the decision to not re-sign Cousins. At this point in his career and with being 36 years old, it’s uncertain if he is worth his new contract of $45 million per year, and if he will come back the same and be able to play like he used to. An Achilles tear is just too serious to pay a veteran quarterback an insane amount of money, and hitting free agency allows the team to open up to exploring new options and then Kirk can potentially start over with a fresh start and build a new foundation and have a better chance at post season success.
As for the Vikings, losing Kirk means starting over from scratch. Making key free agency moves like signing star players from both the Texans and Packers will better off our team into building something big. Whether they opt to pursue a veteran quarterback in free agency, invest in a high draft pick and acquire young talent, or explore internal options, the Vikings have an opportunity to chart a new course and build towards sustained success. Losing a player of Cousins’ caliber level is hard, it opens the doors to greater opportunities and evolution within the organization.
In conclusion, Kirk Cousins’ departure from the Minnesota Vikings marks the end of a chapter in both his career and the franchise’s history. Heavy influences of hard financial decisions and the pursuit of change will both help build this team into something stronger. Decisions like this really start to prove that professional sports is a tough business even if athletes are extremely overpaid. As Cousins explores new opportunities, and the Vikings chart a path forward, the NFL landscape continues to evolve, showcasing the dynamic nature of the sport and its participants.
Cashton Newgaard is a student at Spring Grove High School. He is one of 13 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 25th year.
Leave a Reply