The Minnesota Vikings announce the team has agreed in principle to a one-year contract extension with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“Kirk was one of the first players I called when I joined the Vikings, and it was immediately clear how much he cares about this organization and about winning,” said General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Menshah. “High level quarterback play is a prerequisite to building a championship team, and we are confident Kirk will continue along that path.”
Cousins, who will enter his 11th NFL season in 2022, was named to his third-career Pro Bowl after finishing fourth in the NFL in passer rating (103.1) and throwing 33 touchdowns to only seven interceptions in 2021. Since joining the Vikings in 2018, Cousins has been one of the best passers in the league, totaling 124 touchdown passes (5th in the NFL), a 68.3 completion percentage (4th), and a 103.5 passer rating (6th).
The Holland, Michigan, native has also been one of the most effective downfield throwers, compiling a 114.7 passer rating on attempts with at least 20 air yards, according to Next Gen Stats, trailing only Aaron Rodgers (117.4), Russell Wilson (115.2) and Kyler Murray (114.7) among all passers with 100 such attempts since 2018.
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to play for Kevin and could not be more excited about the direction of our team,” said Cousins. “As soon as we return to TCO Performance Center next month, we will begin working toward our collective goal of bringing a championship to Vikings fans.”
In his four seasons with the Vikings, Cousins has started all 63 regular-season games in which he appeared, the fourth-most starts in Vikings history among quarterbacks, and has thrown for 16,387 passing yards (4th in team history), 124 passing touchdowns (4th) and a 68.3 completion percentage (2nd), giving him a franchise record 103.5 passer rating.
Originally selected by the Washington Commanders in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft, Cousins has played in 125 career games (120 starts). Since becoming a full-time starter in 2015, Cousins ranks among the NFL’s best in several categories, including completions (3rd – 2,585), completion percentage (5th – 67.7), passing yards (3rd – 29,563) and passing touchdowns (4th – 205).
(info courtesy of Vikings)