Kirk Cousins Departs and Vikings Bolster Defensive Front in Free Agency

The Minnesota Vikings started NFL free agency with a bang, letting go of veterans and revamping their defensive front. 

The biggest shake-up for the Vikings has been with their quarterback. Kirk Cousins, who spent six seasons quarterbacking Minnesota, agreed to a four-year $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. As a player, Cousins was polarizing in Minnesota. He put up consistent stats, throwing for over 23,000 yards and 171 touchdowns, but often struggled in big games going 1-2 in the playoffs. 

As a person, Cousins was beloved by the fans. His goofy personality created many memorable moments, including the video that earned him the nickname “Kirko Chainz.” Following a 20-17 win over the Washington Commanders in November 2022, videos surfaced of Cousins dancing on the team plane. Cousins was shirtless, sporting a diamond watch on each wrist and several diamond-encrusted chains on his neck as his teammates hyped him up. Fans are disappointed to see Cousin’s departure but remain supportive of their former signal caller. 

“It hurts,” Vikings fan Ian Purpora told Media Milwaukee. “But I don’t blame him for leaving for more money and a guaranteed contract that the Vikings wouldn’t offer him.” 

Cousins’ departure leaves a hole in Minnesota’s offense at the most important position. The team struggled mightily when Cousins went down with an Achilles tendon tear in Week Eight last year, going 3-6 in the last nine games. In those games, Minnesota sent out Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall, none of whom showed much promise.  

After the Falcons announced they had agreed to terms with Cousins, the Vikings quickly signed Sam Darnold to a one-year deal, according to ESPN. Darnold looks to win his third starting job after poor stints with the Panthers and Jets landed him in a backup role for the 49ers.

While Darnold remains an option, the Vikings could look to draft a future franchise quarterback. Minnesota has the 11^th pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a class that is deep at the QB positions. Prospects like JJ McCarthy, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr. will likely be available at 11 if the Vikings opt to take a QB. 

Minnesota continued spending and added a new playmaker for their offense, finding a replacement after releasing running back Alexander Mattison. Following the Packers’ release of Aaron Jones, the Vikings swooped in and signed the 29-year-old RB to a one-year contract worth $7 million, according to Pelissero. Jones is a threat in both the running and passing games, totaling over 8,000 all-purpose yards and 63 total touchdowns in his seven years in Green Bay. 

Minnesota’s first defensive move was letting star pass-rusher Danielle Hunter walk. The 28-year-old LSU product was a Vikings third-round draft pick in 2015, totaling 87.5 sacks and 11 forced fumbles in his eight seasons with the team. Hunter would find his landing spot in Houston, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting that the pass-rusher has agreed to a 2-year, $49 million contract with the Texans that includes $48 million guaranteed. 

The Vikings found their replacement in Houston’s Jonathan Greenard, signing the defensive end to a four-year $72 million contract, Schefter reported. Greenard was a third-round selection out of Florida in 2020, experiencing his breakout season last year, totaling 12.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. 

Minnesota wasn’t done in Houston, signing linebacker Blake Cashman away from the Texans as well. It’s a three-year deal worth up to $25.5 million, according to Pelissero. This is a homecoming for Cashman, who grew up in Eden Prairie, Minn., and played college football for the University of Minnesota. 

“Words can’t describe how happy I am to be back home,” said Cashman in a post on X.

The Vikings continued to bolster their defensive front, adding outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel on a two-year $20 million deal, per Schefter. The 28-year-old had spent the first five years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, where he found success as an edge rusher. The Vikings will look to use Van Ginkel’s pass-rushing ability to complement Cashman’s coverage.