Welcome to the weekend at Skoloholics, your home for Minnesota Vikings Discussion. Everyday you can join us for Minnesota Vikings news, Minnesota Vikings talk, NFL news and updates, and all of those other things that you have on your mind. At Skoloholics, the real action is in the comments, so if you haven’t checked out the comments section yet, sign up and join the conversation. As always, remember to be cool to one another.
Vikings News
Vikings re-sined Johnny Mundt, no terms reported yet
Minnesota Vikings Discussion Topic of the Day
Where do you think Kirk ends up?
Media Selection
Its the Weekend
Thread Guidelines
- Keep politics out. We are adults, news happens, and we can talk about it. What we don’t want is to go down the rabbit holes and turn a productive conversation into name calling and personal attacks.
- Be cool to one another. Like it says above, just be civil. You don’t need to agree with everyone and that’s fine, you also don’t need to make it personal. Attack the argument not the poster.
- Keep the NSFW to a minimum. We don’t need anyone getting in trouble at work for hanging out here.
- All in all, be adults. Treat each other with respect and things will be fine. Mods will take out content they feel is pushing the boundary. If you want to reach out about something feel free to ask. We want to have robust discussions, that’s why we’re here. Just be civil and cool to one another.
Wish Lifer was here – little rub it in. Sheffler is the best player in the world right now!
I hit some really good shots today. My cart buddy is an avid golfer. He’s at the range 3 to 4 times a week, plays 3 times a week, watches YouTube video’s endlessly, and I beat him by 5 strokes today.
It took him ten minutes (felt like) to pull a club. He was a friendly guy, and I enjoyed playing with him. But he brought up the point that I never practice, never warm up, came out on the first hole with a bunch of strangers, and hit a perfect drive and really good second shot. Then basically played well the rest of the days sans the second hole.
I just said I play golf, not “work” golf. It’s a game. It’s supposed to be fun.
Hay, 84 in windy conditions – you must have hit a lot of quality shots. No practice – just natural talent!
I just deliver the club from the inside, and bottom the club out past the ball. Been doing that for 20 years. What has improved dramatically is my tee ball. I have been really focusing on feeling pressure on the back of my left hand coming down, and suddenly I’m hitting my driver with much more force, and distance.
Looks like the Patriots traded Mac Jones to the Jaguars today, and the Jets have given Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade — they’re hopeful someone will give them a late-round pick for him. With the Bears likely to trade Fields, three of the five quarterbacks drafted in the top 15 picks in 2021 could be moved this offseason, while another (Trey Lance) was traded last summer.
It’s a reminder as the 2024 draft approaches, in which some think as many as six quarterbacks could go in the first round, that all that glitters is not gold.
This is for sure true as far as early QB picks are concerned….all that glitter is not gold….but there is some gold there in those early picks.
Personally, I like the “Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” philosophy when it comes to QBs…if you have a top 12 QB keep him…BUT I understand the other point of view as well.
Heard an analyst make an interesting point to this end last week. Whether Cousins stays or goes, what are the odds any of the top five prospects out play him over the next two years.
I would say less than 15%.
Who would expect any rookie to out play a good veteran? It’s about the future, not what they do in the short term.
Well for some teams, two years is a long time.
And there was a follow on thought. Cousins was playing high level football when he got hurt (from them, like in the 5-10 range). What are the odds any of these ever get into that range. And even then, maybe one in five.
I have no expectation of any rookie outplaying a good veteran in two years.
This is no big deal – but the follow on was “ever” out playing.
Overall, it was merely points in response to NDR’s ‘bird in hand,’ comment.
JJ seems on the rise. Maye dropping. I see crap like Wilson, Darnold, Lance available. Fields won’t be here. Bears want picks and prob don’t want to trade to NFCN rival.
Bucs re-signing Baker Mayfield to a 3 year $100M deal.
The Vikings should do Cousins for 3 years at 120…..its Sunday, can I get an Amen!!!???
Amen
Only $50 million guaranteed.
Way below Kirks demands.
Rudy Gobert made a money gesture at refs. League fined him a $100,000. Holy shit.
He was implying that the Refs fouled him out of the game because they were paid. He apologized to his team for the timing but believes it was ‘truth’.
League doesn’t appreciate that type of thing, defensive they are.
yeah, didn’t see foul but a 100 grand is cruel, even though they make big bucks.
He is on a 5yr $205M Salary, $41M a year, $100k is pocket change to him.
Chump change. My SS checks don’t keep up with inflation.
The Athletic is reporting that Cousins is expected to inform the Minnesota Vikings of his decision to stay with his team or leave for another in free agency by Sunday night.
That is not exactly what the Athletic is reporting. It is saying he will inform the Vikings tonight if he will test free agency. That is a bit different than “leave for another team”
If by ‘testing free agency’ he means talking to other teams during legal tampering then fine.
If he means after the 13th then he is gone as we are not going to pay 2X the cap hit for him.
Well, KOC said this was happening at the combine, nothing new really.
Yep, kind of a non-news item.
Yep. Just rewording known facts to create content. Plus we’ve been told that Kirk already said no in June.
No… KAM said no in June…
You….
This a long winded way to say that Kirk said no.
Since when have I ever been anything less than long-winded?
Aren’t you guys milking mice – and certainly water under the damn.
Wasn’t the problem 2 versus 3 guaranteed. But again,OBE.
DE has a little OCD thing with me JR. Can’t help himself. Whatever I post, he takes issue with, as a knee jerk reaction.
How could he do this? As you all have mentioned, no other team has been able to talk with him until 13th. I mean, how could he tell Vikings no without knowledge of what else is available? Unless, of course, the Vikings gave him a real low ball offer, but that wouldn’t be real bright either.
Legal tampering tomorrow.
JRobert, he is only telling them if he is going to talk to teams in free agency (legal tampering starts tomorrow)….this is a non story.
Just to understand – starting tomorrow other teams can make an off but Kirk is still a Viking until Wednesday. And as such they can counter or not, before taking a big cap hit.
Correct. Tomorrow Kirk can agree in principle with any team, but it can’t be completed until after 4pm Wednesday.
I actually think this is a good thing – everybody can put their cards on the table and deal from there. BS offers either way will get flushed.
Thanks for reply.
LOL…
The best of the worst.
Ranked as the 65th best TE.
65th is pretty good for a 3rd TE as 32 x 2 would be 64, so he is at the top of the next 32.
Mostly a blocker, if he gives you 200 yards good for him.
Correct.
NFLN been good this week. Showed Colts game and us beating 9ers. I’m jacked.
Played pretty decent today, even though I did triple the second hole. I still shot 44 on the front, and 40 on the back. Hit the ball with some authority today and just felt good out there. Beautiful day here, but we did have some gusty winds.
Golf is hard as is, gusty winds can change a back swing.
Really good round. Especially in gusty winds. Great wether here too.
Let’s look at the latest from ESPN’s Dan Graziano:
As I said yesterday before Ben made the weekend thread.
2yr max, one if he would take it.
I would give him a guarantee and NTC to groom JJ/Daniels/Nix/whomever.
I have heard/read that we can’t pay more than $40M a year, $14M of it is already sunk cost cap-wise.
Let him play in ’24 and groom the Jr, then in ’25 we see how he is health wise, how the kid is developing and ease him out.
If he wants more playing time after we see the youngster is playing well enough he can waive his NTC to get it.
Kirk doesn’t like giving teams flexibility.
He might do it for $45 million fully guaranteed.
Trade clause prob big issue also, maybe as much as money.
We are not allowed to give him a raise per the collective bargaining agreement the way his contract is structured.
We cannot, not ‘don’t want to’/’would rather not’, give him more than $40M.
Wow… I’ve never heard this… where the heck are you getting this from?
Same. I’ve never heard this before.
This has been discussed the past few week although not in detail.
‘Some of the prorated bonuses ($6.25 million in 2023, 2024, and 2025) were left over from the 2022 extension of Cousins, while the remaining $4 million per year was from the 2023 restructure. All that void year money ($28.5 million) is set to count against Minnesota’s cap in 2024 unless Cousins were to sign another extension to stay in Minnesota, in which case they would simply tack onto a new deal’s cap hits in their respective years.
But there is a catch. Those base salaries in 2024-2027, which are effectively dummy numbers that will never be paid, set a cap for a possible future extension. Per the CBA, a player cannot sign a new deal that includes a raise within a year of signing another deal. Cousins’ new deal is, on paper, a 5-year, $200-million deal ($40 million APY), with a $20 million signing bonus (and $180 million in paragraph 5 base salaries), a mark that cannot be exceeded should he sign a deal to remain in Minnesota before the 2024 league year. Given the current market for starting-caliber quarterbacks in the NFL, this would seem to imply that Cousins is going to take a below-market deal or test the market in 2024.’
https://sumersports.com/the-zone/void-years-explained/
Ummm…. Cousins didn’t sign a new deal last year. He signed an extension in 2022, so that whole he can’t sign for more money less than a year after signing a deal thing isn’t in play for 2024.
I don’t claim to understand the legalities/contract law I am reporting what I read. I have heard from a few others here as well.
There is an article on the DN about it.
https://www.dailynorseman.com/2024/2/26/24083857/kirk-cousins-projected-contract-value-espn-more-than-minnesota-vikings-can-give-him-nfl-free-agency
OK SoCal… it’s mumbo jumbo to me too… I have never heard anyone mention this, and the whole commentary that Cousins has a 5 year $200M deal is a lie. Cousins has never in his life signed for more that $35M a year.
They can get crazy with Contract #s. ‘Paragraph 5 Base Salaries'(??) + Signing Bonus + Performance Bonus’.
Does an ‘Extension mean a new contract or just a continuation of the current one which continues to be ‘the new contract’.
Again, too deep for me.
Yeah, well in his 6 seasons with the Vikings, Cousins actual earnings are $185,028.856 according to Spotrac. So that commentary that his contract is 5 years for $200M is just plain hot air.
Cousins’ new deal is, on paper, a 5-year, $200-million deal ($40 million APY), with a $20 million signing bonus (and $180 million in paragraph 5 base salaries), a mark that cannot be exceeded should he sign a deal to remain in Minnesota before the 2024 league year.
Total BS.
So Spotrac looked at the contract in terms of this specific clause and determined that it did not meet the conditions?? Good to know.
Or is it just some idiots on the InterWeb looking for things to support their own narratives?
I don’t claim to understand.
What I wonder most about Kirkos next contract, is how long it takes.
Does it happen before Wednesday, This week, or does it drag out a little longer than what we think?
Why are you worried about other teams contracts?
Not sure what you are asking.
Im just wondering how quick it goes for Kirko.
Be it MN or another team.
Some uppity from the Athletic expects KC to let purple know tonight if he’s testing free agency. Sides have been talking but only have til Wednesday.
I think KOC has already said Kirk wants to test FA.
But it’s all a dance and a negotiation.
Ok, this gal says they have been talking. Don’t know.
It can be both.
But doubt KC comes back if Minn has to absorb his $28.5 M Cap hit plus whatever he signs for on a new deal.
That’s the issue.
$28.5 million dead cap hit if not renegotiated before March 13th at 4pm edt.
he signs or is gone, they won’t eat that
Likely. Never say never though.
Not my thing, but seems this ‘can’t negotiate without another team’ thing hurts both the player and the team. Both sides are sort of flying blind on true value if you can’t test market.
It’s a rights thing JR. The Vikings own the rights to Cousins until his contract voids Wednesday. Till that time, technically teams can’t talk to a player from another team about offering him a bigger contract. Teams can let a pending free agent know they are interested in them “legally” on Monday.
Contracts are written to claim ownership of a player. They aren’t really anything that ensures a player gets paid, unless there is guaranteed money in the contract.
But this could hurt both parties.
Suppose Kirk “thinks” Atlanta will give him 50 mil per year and the Vikings are only offering 35. But in reality a “real” offer is only 37 – big deal.
And in reverse, suppose Atlanta really will go 50 mil, but Vikings are only “thinking”like 30. Would be good for them to know that.
But .I don’t know jack about this stuff. football wise.
That’s right JR. The whole set-up in the league is NOT to the players favor. Teams own and control players. Not the other way around.
Cousins, like every pending free agent, has to play the game by the NFL rules, which are established by the Owners.
Summary.
28 comments
Yup
You should do better.
See it’s a slow weekend. Guess everyone is awaiting the big announcements next week.
Had a great time at the Palmer. Great weather, course, and of course some wonderful golf. Those guys are really really good.
Interestingly, was in a tent with two Bengal guys, three Skins, a Steeler and a Bills guy. Had some wonderful discussions of football, even more than the golf, and it is always interesting to hear other fans perspective of players and teams.
And for the golfers, Rory and Scheffler are in a class a cut above.
All in all, a great day.
‘wonderful discussions of football, even more than the golf’
Not surprising since Football is an actual sport.
Does seem like the mental gymnastics of off season football is quite demanding.
Jumping to conclusions, running down rumors, jumping at shadows can be quite strenuous.
Local hockey team lost their home playoff game tonight, sucks… 1-3 in the series now, I think that’s it for this year. Bruins won, at least.
MVDTOTD… Pretty vague question, we need choices.
A. Cemetary
2. In a jar on someone’s mantle
C. Lost at sea
O. Other (discuss in comments)
Or were you thinking in the near future?
I think at this point, the Falcons look like a good bet. The Vikings keep saying they want to retain Cousins, but they really don’t want to commit to him. Cousins offered them a deal last June and KAM rejected it. Basically the Vikings want Cousins on a one year deal, without a no trade clause, and not guaranteeing anything. Of course they also want him back cheap too. Cousins is like, “I don’t think so”.
Reply fail much??
ESPN’s Field Yates (who names their child Field?) said last week he wouldn’t be surprised if Cousins garnered a 2 year $100M fully guaranteed contract. I think that’s baloney, but if Cousins were to garner a contract of $50 million in AAV for the 2024 season, it would only place him at the fifth-highest average price point for a QB in the NFL behind Joe Burrow ($55 million), Justin Herbert ($52.5 million), Lamar Jackson ($52 million), and Jalen Hurts ($51 million),
Wow, even more that Danial Jones?
Inconsievable!
Laughing… Kyler Murray too.
ESPN reporting that Denver is trading Jerry Jeudy to Cleveland.
Saves them almost $13M against the cap. When you are taking a big hit for cutting Wilson, there’s going to be a ripple effect.
They are paying a big price to get rid of Wilson.
Sure glad he is not coming here.
Don’t be too sure… KAM is capable of anything.
If he were capable of ‘anything’ we would have won the Superb Owl, or at least been a winning team.
I’m afraid you are right. Too bad he also does not really seem to know what he’s doing.
First?
Last? Doubt ben needs a summary today.
Laughing…
Summary
JR went to watch the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando
That is all
Purple and Risner have mutual interest in staying together, so i read. I believe everything i read in silly season.
You forgot the sarcasm font.
At least some concrete stuff starting Monday. Noon Eastern.
I expect we will get news leaking out about players getting resigned or released now and then.
Decisions have to be made and they won’t wait and announce them all at the same time.
Just end the KC banter, driving me nuts.
I doubt that your nuts are their main concern, sadly of course.
#smirk
The good news is we re-signed Johnny Mundt. Massive priority to get that done.
Also re-signed Theo Jackson… whew… was afraid we were gonna lose that guy.
Knock off the easy things as you work your way through the hard ones.
I doubt that smaller, easier deals distracted them much from the more complicated ones.