Vikings GM expects Cousins back, discussed contract with Jefferson

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Wednesday he anticipates Kirk Cousins returning as the team's quarterback in 2023 and that he's had an "initial dialogue" with Justin Jefferson's agent on an extension.

"It's our expectation that he'll be our quarterback," Adofo-Mensah said, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "I can't say exactly how that would look. We have everything at our disposal. We'll consider all those things just like we would with everyone else on the roster."

Cousins signed a one-year, $35-million extension last offseason that expires after the 2023 campaign. The final year of Cousins' contract will account for a $36.25-million cap hit, though the Vikings can likely lessen that figure with another extension.

Jefferson is coming off a historic 2022 campaign in which he set a new franchise record with 1,809 receiving yards. The Vikings receiver has made the Pro Bowl in each of his three seasons since entering the NFL and has totaled 324 catches for 4,825 yards and 25 touchdowns. He's eligible for an extension this offseason.

"You've got a special player (and) a special person. Those aren't problems," Adofo-Mensah said. "We get back to that in the planning, but again it really starts from the player, the person, and we'll work on solutions from there on."

Minnesota finished the 2022 season with a 13-4 record but fell to the New York Giants in the wild-card round.