Purple Headlines of the Week: Major Vikings Cuts, Bud Grant’s Passing, Cousins’ Future
Another week of the Vikings offseason has come and gone, and this is the first week where it truly felt like we were getting into the thick of things as free agency approaches. We saw a number of major Vikings cuts as well as some rumors surrounding the futures of other current Vikings veterans. In case you missed them throughout the busy week, here are some of the purple headlines from the final week before free agency.
Fan Favorites Leave the Vikings
We knew the Minnesota Vikings would make a number of difficult decisions to free up salary cap space ahead of free agency this offseason. They came in full-force this week as the Vikings decided to part ways with fan favorites such as LB Eric Kendricks and WR Adam Thielen.
This likely is just the beginning of moves to purge the roster of some of its more expensive veterans, and it is a process that could continue even into 2024. One thing is becoming abundantly clear, though: Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell are making sure that they build the Vikings in their own vision.
Kirk Cousins May Hit Free Agency in 2024
This week brough another update on the ongoing Kirk Cousins situation. Cousins is set to enter his final year of his contract in 2023, unless he gets a new contract extension from the Vikings this offseason.
The new update from Ian Rapoport doesn’t look promising for the potential of Cousins remaining in a Vikings uniform following the 2023 season. It doesn’t appear that the two sides will agree to a new contract extension this offseason, and we may be approaching a situation where Cousins opts to leave in free agency in 2024.
Dalvin Cook Trade Coming?
Another report on a current Viking that could soon be out the door revolved around RB Dalvin Cook. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote on Sunday that the Vikings are “open for business” in regards to a potential trade involving their starting running back.
Additionally, it seems that Minnesota is making an attempt to re-sign Alexander Mattison, who has spent his first four seasons in the NFL as Cook’s backup. If the Vikings swing a trade for Cook, it would free up a decent chunk of salary cap space, and they likely would get an early Day 3 draft pick as well.
Legendary Coach Bud Grant Passes Away
Vikings fans woke up on Saturday to some unfortunate news regarding legendary head coach Bud Grant, who passed away at the age of 95. Grant is the biggest reason for the Vikings turning into one of the winningest franchises in the NFL, and his 18 years of coaching led the Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances as well as the fifth-best winning percentage in the league during that span.
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.