Derek Carr’s New Contract Could Impact Vikings Decision with Kirk Cousins
Josh Frey
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On Monday morning, the New Orleans Saints signed free agent QB Derek Carr after he was released from the Las Vegas Raiders back in February. The new Saints QB not only could have an impact on the NFC playoff picture in 2023, but Carr’s new contract could impact the Vikings decision regarding the future of their own QB, Kirk Cousins.
As the details came out regarding Carr’s deal with the Saints, it was revealed that his contract would be four years long for a total of $150 million. The contract also includes $70 million in guaranteed money ($60 million at signing, and another $10 million vested in year three).
In addition, the soon-to-be 32-year-old QB gets a no-trade clause, allowing him to control his future in New Orleans. The contract averages out to $37.5 million per year if Carr gets the entire $150 million in the deal.
As for Cousins, we know a few things about how the Vikings will approach his future with the franchise. Tom Pelissero reported a week ago that it seems unlikely Minnesota will give him another one-year extension like we saw last offseason. That extension gives him a total of $35 million for 2023.
Because of this, the Vikings will likely take an “all or nothing” approach with their 35-year-old QB. Minnesota can either give him an extension for 3-4 years, or the two sides can part ways following the 2023 season.
Considering Carr and Cousins have been tied together throughout the past 4-5 years as QBs of similar talent, this new contract for Carr is a big deal for the Vikings as they try to figure out whether they want to keep their starting QB around for the long term.
$37.5 million certainly is a much more reasonable benchmark for the two sides rather than the reported $45 million that Daniel Jones was asking for earlier in the offseason, but it remains a pretty penny to pay when the team also has to account for likely extensions for T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson. Add a Christian Darrisaw contract another year down the road, and cap hits begin piling up very quickly.
Especially for a QB that could be 38 or 39 by the time this next contract ends, one has to wonder if the performance level will remain high enough to warrant such a big contract. It certainly warranted it in 2022, but this age is typically the time where NFL quarterbacks begin to deteriorate.
Ultimately, in my mind, the best route for the Vikings to take this offseason remains letting Cousins play out the final year of his deal and drafting a QB in either the 2023 or 2024 Draft. There are talented players in both classes, and the Vikings are in a terrific position to develop a QB with a strong offensive tackle tandem, elite weapons, and a former NFL quarterback as their head coach.
We’ve already seen the team begin to purge itself of aging veterans with the release of former All-Pro linebacker Eric Kendricks as well, making the possibility that they move on from Cousins next offseason even more realistic.
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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.