Purple Headlines of the Week: 2 Vikings TEs Re-Sign, the Bonkers Kirk Cousins Contract Number, Minnesota Madness Finals
Josh Frey
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Free agency in the NFL is on the verge of getting started.
The legal tampering period officially kicks off on Monday, meaning teams and players can begin negotiating contracts. With everything beginning to ramp up across the league, here is a look at all of the purple headlines of the past week.
Vikings Re-Sign Two Tight Ends
The Vikings re-signed not one, but two players this past week. The first of these signings involved tight end Nick Muse, who rejoins the team after appearing in two games, and he played just 31 snaps between the offense and special teams. He made the most of his two snaps with the offense, though, recording his first career NFL reception by hauling in a 22-yard pass in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions.
The second of these signings involved another tight end, Johnny Mundt. Prior to the 2023 season, head coach Kevin O’Connell called Mundt the best TE3 in the NFL, and he fully lived up to that status this past year. Mundt finished the season with 17 receptions for 172 yards and a touchdown.
Considering T.J. Hockenson likely will miss at least a few games in 2024, these two could see increased roles this upcoming season. Great decisions by the Vikings to bring them back.
A New Kirk Cousins Contract Projection
It has widely been circulated that Cousins will garner a ton of interest on the open market this spring. Seeing as the legal tampering period begins on Monday, we will officially get a chance to see exactly what that market brings in less than 48 hours.
With that Monday date right around the corner, ESPN’s Field Yates made this remark in a recent piece: “No need to overthink this one, as Cousins is going to cash in once again, despite being just 4½ months removed from a torn right Achilles. He was playing outstanding football at the time of his injury and is the best free agent quarterback available in a thin market and in a league with a bunch of teams desperate for an upgrade. If you told me that Cousins winds up signing a two-year, $100 million fully guaranteed contract, I would not be stunned.”
If Cousins were to garner a contract of $50 million in AAV for the 2024 season, it would place him at the fifth-highest average price point for a QB in the NFL behind only Joe Burrow ($55 million), Justin Herbert ($52.5 million), Lamar Jackson ($52 million), and Jalen Hurts ($51 million), per Spotrac.
The Minnesota Madness Finals Are Here. Go Vote!
Folks, after beginning with 16 plays in the first round of Minnesota Madness, we’ve thinned things down to just two plays in the running for the best play of the 2023 Vikings season. The plays in contention for the top spot include Justin Jefferson’s ridiculous catch in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions and Josh Metellus’ interception in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers.
The voting will end on Tuesday, March 12th, and whichever player is voted for that top spot will receive a $1600 donation in their name to The Vikings Foundation. Be sure to cast your votes here!
In Case You Missed It…
As usual, we have a list of additional reading material for the especially studious Vikings fans. Happy reading!
- Kwesi Adofo-Mensah Isn’t Going to Budge
- Vikings Draft Order Is Officially Set
- Former Vikings Guard Gets Beefy Contract with Jaguars
- Vikings Free Agency Big Board
- The 5 Main Vikings Mysteries with Free Agency Right Around the Corner
The Vikings’ Depth Chart on the Eve of NFL Free Agency
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. 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.