Kirk Cousins has shared the reasoning behind his decision to reject a guaranteed $90 million contract from the New York Jets in favor of joining the Minnesota Vikings, emphasizing that there are values more significant than financial gain.
Despite the opportunity for a lucrative deal with the Jets, Cousins chose the Vikings, accepting a $6 million pay cut instead. As a free agent, he signed a three-year contract with Minnesota worth a guaranteed $84 million in 2018, making him the highest-paid player at that time. His agent, Mike McCartney, informed him of the Jets’ intention to offer a three-year deal worth $30 million per year before he made his choice.
And Cousins used that leverage to get a deal with the Vikings. “As much as the overall dollars are important in a contract, I think in my situation, structure is as important, if not more important,” he said, acknowledging that he was paid $2 million less annually by the side for his services.
“We want our money to be fully guaranteed. Ideally, I’d prefer a fully guaranteed contract or one-year deals.” Cousins also emphasized his desire to be part of a team with strong leadership and excellent coaching.
He mentioned, “It’s important to see the people a coach has worked with because that influences their leadership style. For me, being with someone who can help us win and make the experience enjoyable is crucial.”
The Illinois native has previously expressed his wish to finish his career in Minnesota. When asked last year about his plans for the later stages of his career with the Vikings, the 36-year-old stated, “That’s always been my intention since I arrived.”
“I always wanted to be a one-team quarterback and that didn’t happen in Washington. Then I said, ‘well, I’d like to be a two-team quarterback and, quite honestly, have enough success in Minnesota that people only remember me as a Viking’.
That would undoubtedly be my goal, but I’ve also discovered that in this league, things don’t always go as planned. Thus, we’ll have to wait and see. I am aware that I have many choices, but I want to be a Viking, retire as a Viking, and complete my career here.”
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