Kirk Cousins’ $90 million deal involves insane incentives
By Lucas Crosby
Kirk Cousins becomes the highest paid QB in the NFL with his 3-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
Cousins struck gold with the Vikings, becoming the first player in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed multi-year contract. His deal with Minnesota is a 3-year deal worth $84 million. This deal averages $28 million per year, the highest in the NFL.
Not only was Cousins made the highest paid quarterback in the NFL, he also has the ability to earn $90 million in his 3 seasons with the Vikings. The deal includes an additional $6 million in Super Bowl incentives.
In 2017, Cousins ranked 12th in the NFL in passer rating (93.9), 7th in yards (4093), and 8th in TD passes (27). All marks of a top QB in the league. However, Cousins has yet to win a playoff game in his career. If the Vikings do make the Super Bowl, they will happily pay that additional $6 million in incentives to Cousins.
Minnesota certainly has the defensive pieces in place to make a Super Bowl run. Last year, the Vikings made it to the NFC Championship before getting blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles with Case Keenum at the helm.
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Although the addition of Cousins may cost the Vikings an arm and a leg, they believe they have the right pieces in place. With Cousins behind center, look for the Vikings to be in the mix every year in the near future. With second-year running back Dalvin Cook set to return from a torn ACL and weapons like Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs, the Vikings offense should be potent enough to not force their defense to carry them any longer.
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