Which squad he will play for is still up in the air, but one thing is certain.
After the 2024 season starts, Kirk Cousins does not anticipate being restricted by the torn right Achilles he sustained in 2023.
He said, “That’s the plan,” to Bleacher Report when asked if he would be fully recovered for the upcoming season. “After two and a half months, everything is proceeding as planned. I’m excited to just keep moving ahead in preparation for the upcoming season. My objective is to play next season and possibly return to Lambeau Field, where I tore it, and feel so terrific there that I can’t even remember that I did. That is the objective.
In Week 8, as his Minnesota Vikings were playing the Green Bay Packers, Cousins had a torn Achilles tendon. A strong start to the season, during which he completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions, was undermined by it.
It was the first time he had missed a significant amount of time for the Vikings since they signed him prior to the 2018 season, and he was well on his way to throwing for more than 4,000 yards for the fourth straight season.
“It was a strange feeling just because I’m so used to being out there,” Cousins said. It’s just not something I’ve done regularly to watch games while sitting on the sidelines or at home. It has been a while. Being able to observe the game, the preparations, and everything that goes on from a new perspective was a bright spot for me. That seems valuable to me. though I’m sure I would have enjoyed being outside.”
Given that Minnesota was only beginning to gather steam following a 1-4 start, the timing was also problematic for the team. Although Philadelphia won the following five games, with Cousins out of the picture, it ultimately lost the last seven games 1-6 to finish 7-10 and miss the playoffs.
The fact that wide receiver Justin Jefferson also missed seven games due to chest and hamstring strains didn’t help either.
The Vikings now have several unanswered questions heading into the offseason, not the least of which is regarding Cousins’ future under contract. The fact that he is expected to be a free agent presents a challenge for the team.
Given that he will turn 36 years old the next season and is recovering from a serious injury, there are legitimate reasons to be concerned. However, in his six years in Minnesota, he has been selected to three Pro Bowls and has four seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards.
When he was totally healthy in 2022, the team finished 13-4, and it was evident that he was still productive in 2023 before the injury.
Does he thus have a message for Vikings supporters who hope to see him back?
Cousins remarked, “Hopefully we can make something happen.” “Time will tell. Regretfully, the schedule necessitates finishing the playoffs and the Combine in February before we can begin deciphering everything. You kind of wind up waiting for March to turn when those conversations start because of how much time has passed between now and then.”
Minnesota might not have a surefire replacement path either, as the No. 11 pick in the draft likely isn’t early enough to take an organization-changing prospect such as USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye.
Cousins will likely also be the top quarterback available if he does become a free agent, so the team may already have its short-term answer in house.
If he is brought back by the Vikings, they will have Jefferson, perhaps the best wide receiver in the league, and Jordan Addison, a rising talent who just finished a fantastic rookie year, to complement him once more. In addition, Cousins would have extra time to get to know the rookie receiver as the team looks to recapture some of its 2022 magic.
However, the quarterback is concentrating on approaching things cautiously when imagining what would constitute a fruitful 2024 campaign.
“It starts with getting back and being at OTAs and practicing well and being able to be a part of practices because I get cleared,” he said. “Being able to kind of go through a normal summer routine being fully healthy and then have a great camp. Then get to the season and say, ‘man, I wouldn’t know I tore my Achilles a year ago, that’s how good I feel.’ And then go win a lot of football games.”
Before he starts with that offseason process, Cousins teamed up with Tostitos to be part of its Super Bowl LVIII campaign.
“I’m not much of a chef normally,” Cousins said while laughing.
“But there’s going to be this pop-up restaurant called Tost by Tostitos where every dish is based on Tostitos chips, and I think you’re going to see a lot of creativity from the chefs. I’m helping prepare and serve the food, so it’s going to be fun. I’m not usually in that role, but I’m coachable. I really plan on these professional Frito Lay chefs being able to make me pretty good. I’m hoping I learn a few things I can take back with me to my own kitchen and my own Super Bowl parties.”
The biggest question now is which teams will be joining him in Las Vegas for the Super Bowl.
While Cousins wasn’t ready to offer any Lombardi Trophy predictions at this point, he certainly has his eyes on the playoffs.
“I watched this past weekend, and there were some surprises and upsets,” he said. “It just reminded me how in this league there is a lot of parity and anyone can beat anyone. You’ve gotta not only be ready every game, but you’ve gotta be ready every play. I think the playoffs magnify that. … I really think it’s a year where anybody can be there in Vegas for the Super Bowl.”
If the injury recovery remains on track, maybe he’ll be there next year as a player.
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