Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest reason to be excited in 2018

By Brad Berreman

BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images /

Minnesota Vikings – Captain Kirk (Cousins) coming aboard

What do you do to top a 13-3 regular season and a run to the NFC Championship Game (albeit with a highly disappointing end result) ? Sign Kirk Cousins to a full guaranteed three-year, $84 million deal as an upgrade over Case Keenum at quarterback.

In spite of a dysfunctional situation in Washington, and a franchise tag dance in lieu of committing to him long-term, Cousins never missed a start over the last three seasons while topping 4,000 passing yards and throwing at least 25 touchdowns each season. When the Redskins let his top two wide receivers leave in free agency before last year, Cousins threw two more touchdown passes compared to 2016.

On every level, the Vikings can offer Cousins a situation he has never had in his career. It starts at the top, with a stable ownership and a competent general manager. There’s also an overall belief in him that didn’t exist in Washington, rooted not only in his contract but also a recent contract extension for wide receiver Stefon Diggs to keep a key piece in place around him.

A tougher schedule all but assures the Vikings won’t go 13-3 again this year. But Cousins’s arrival is a reason for great excitement this year, and if he delivers at least one Super Bowl appearance at some point over his three-year deal everybody will be happy.

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