

The Facts: Even as they tabled contract discussions this spring with Cousins, the Minnesota Vikings left open the possibility that talks could resume at any time. Cousins, however, said Wednesday that a resumption is not likely until after this season. "I think we'll probably talk about the contract next March," Cousins said on the final day of the Vikings' mandatory minicamp. "Until then, [we'll] just focus on this season and the job to do right now."
Diehards Line:
That answer solidified the widely held assumption that Cousins will play out the final year of his contract this season, during which he will earn $30 million. The deal will remain set to expire in March 2024. Neither side has indicated any acrimony in the discussions, but ultimately they decided to do a simple restructure of his deal this spring rather than extend it. The Vikings did not acquire a potential long-term replacement for Cousins this offseason, although they did draft BYU's Jaren Hall in the fifth round of April's draft. Speaking after that pick, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said: "Sometimes you come to a place where you decide, 'Hey, let's talk later. This is a solution for now.' That's all that's happened." Cousins, who will turn 35 during training camp, reiterated in May that he wants to finish his career in Minnesota, calling it "kind of a no-brainer." But he said he felt he needed to earn that opportunity.