Purple Headlines of the Week: Cousins Contract, Jefferson Extension, NFL Combine

Justin Jefferson Didn't Get 200 Yards, But He Did Make NFL History
Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) celebrates the win against the Indianapolis Colts after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the win, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC North. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Another week of the Vikings offseason is in the books, and this was a particularly significant one considering the NFL scouting combine took place throughout the past few days, with 2023 Draft prospects giving scouts more reason to be intrigued by them heading into this spring. With this busy week now behind us, here are some of the purple headlines of the week, in case you missed them.

Will Kirk Cousins Get a New Contract?

Report: The Vikings Likely Won't Give Kirk Cousins Another 1-Year Extension
Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) runs onto the field before a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Early in the week, new reports began surfacing about the potential of a new Kirk Cousins contract in 2023. The Vikings starting QB will turn 35 years old during this calendar year, and there seemingly is always some sort of controversy surrounding him. This has only amplified following his 4th-and-8 decision at the end of the Vikings Wild Card loss to the New York Giants.

The new report suggests that the Vikings will either be “all-in” or “all-out” with Cousins after 2023. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network said that it doesn’t appear that the Vikings will give Cousins another one-year contract this offseason.

This is an interesting tactic for Minnesota, and it suggests that if the Vikings don’t give Cousins a longer contract this offseason, they will allow him to walk in free agency next year. This puts the onus on Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell to find a QB of the future and do it soon.

Jefferson Should Get an Extension Soon

Justin Jefferson Lands First Award of 2022 Season
Dec 4, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) reacts after the game against the New York Jets at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was one of many members of NFL franchises to take to the podium at the NFL Combine this week. He spent about 15 minutes discussing his thoughts on the draft process as well as the future of the Vikings.

A major piece of that future is star wide receiver Justin Jefferson, and the Vikings GM had loads of positive thoughts on one of the best young players in the league.

Simply put, Adofo-Mensah said during his press conference that he wouldn’t want to be the general manager of the Vikings if Jefferson were no longer playing there. In addition, he revealed that the wide receiver has been given the unique role that involves him giving input on the roster construction.

Considering that a new contract will soon have to be agreed in order to keep Jefferson in that role, and apparently to keep Adofo-Mensah in his job with the Vikings, then it seems safe to say that a Jefferson extension should happen soon.

Prospects Showed Out at the Combine

Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (QB11) participates in drills at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

There were a number of NFL prospects that went through drills and interviews at the NFL scouting combine this past week, and many of them may have improved their draft stock heading into the spring.

One particular position that many folks in Vikings circles are intrigued by is the QB spot. Anthony Richardson had one of the best combine showings in history, especially as a quarterback.

Richardson’s traits as an athlete have always been the most intriguing part of his game, and a 4.43 40 as well as a 40.5-inch vertical jump only makes that even better.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.

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