Former Redskins QB Kirk Cousins signs 2-year, $66 million extension with Vikings

Kirk Cousins scores another contract win today courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings. He signed his first contract extension that wasn't a franchise tag. Cousins new deal adds 2 years and $66 million to the 3-year, $84 million contract he signed in 2018.

The Redskins drafted Kirk Cousins in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL draft after trading an insane amount of picks to get Robert Griffin III with the 2nd overall pick. Cousins eventually earned the starting job, and Griffin was quietly released. Then the tag wars began, and the team and player couldn’t agree on terms for a long-term deal.

The Redskins applied the franchise tag two years in a row, then let Cousins head to free agency where he got the fully guaranteed contract he was looking for. The Redskins got a 3rd round compensatory draft pick. They traded that pick for two 4ths to select RB Bryce Love and G Wes Martin. They also traded away a 3rd round pick and CB Kendall Fuller to the Kansas City Chiefs for QB Alex Smith. Then used the 15th overall pick on current franchise QB Dwayne Haskins Jr. last year.

Cousins first year in Minnesota was a disappointment after the team missed the playoffs following a trip to the NFC Championship game the previous year. Last year Cousins led the Vikings to a wild Card berth, and a win over the New Orleans Saints. They lost the following week to the eventual NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers.

Cousins did enough to earn a big money extension with the Vikings.