Kirk Cousins signs with Vikings, hopes it will be 'a lifetime deal'

EAGAN, Minn. (KMSP) - The Minnesota Vikings have signed free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins to a three-year deal reportedly worth $84 million, with another $6 million in incentives. 

A 2012 fourth-round draft pick from Michigan State, Cousins has played for the Washington Redskins for the last six years. In the 2017 season, Cousins threw for more than 4,000 yards with 27 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. In his career, he has thrown for 16,206 yards with 99 touchdowns and 55 interceptions. 

The Vikings introduced Cousins at a press conference Thursday afternoon at their new headquarters in Eagan. 

Although his contract is only three years, Cousins said the goal is to make this a “lifetime deal.” 

“Yes, this is a three-year deal, but the expectation is from both sides that we’d raise our kids here and if everything goes as planned, I’ll be here for a long, long time,” Cousins said. 

The 29-year-old quarterback was in Minnesota earlier this year for the Super Bowl. He says he rented a car and drove around because he wanted to get a feel for the area. He told his wife everything was “checking the boxes.” 

Cousins told reporters he had a “grocery list” of reasons for choosing Minnesota, but the main reason was winning. He says his contract shows the Vikings owners and leadership are all in on their commitment to winning. 

“I came here because of the chance to win,” he said. “I felt this was probably the best chance.”

Cousins said he is looking forward to getting to know his teammates over the next few weeks, then “getting to work” at spring training in April.  

Head coach Mike Zimmer said one of the things he likes about Cousins is that he has always had to prove himself as a player and always played with a chip on his shoulder. Cousins echoed that, saying he has “always felt a little bit underrated, a little bit overlooked” as a player. 

Cousins said he is looking forward to getting to know his teammates over the next few weeks, then “getting to work” in April.   

Cousins arrived in Minneapolis with his wife, Julie, on Wednesday night for dinner with the Vikings coaches and players at Capital Grille. He visited the team’s new practice facilities in Eagan on Thursday morning before inking the deal. 

The move comes as the Vikings’ three other free agent quarterbacks – Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford—have either signed or are expected to sign with the Denver Broncos, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals respectively.