Vikings GM: 'My intention' to bring back Cousins

Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has his eye on bringing back quarterback Kirk Cousins.

"I think I've been pretty consistent with that," Odofo-Mensah said Wednesday, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook. "Kirk, the player, is somebody that, as we saw what he does to this team, I thought we were playing really good football before he got injured, and it's the most important position in sports."

He continued: "Now, ultimately, it always comes down to can you find an agreement that works for both sides and all those things, but as a player it's certainly my intention to have him back here."

Cousins, scheduled to be a free agent this offseason, got off to a hot start in 2023 before a torn Achilles ended his season after eight contests. He threw 18 touchdowns and averaged 291.4 yards per game, his highest mark since 2016.

The 35-year-old has been adamant about wanting to return to Minnesota. Cousins said earlier this week that "the dollars are really not what it's about" for his next contract, adding that "structure is probably more important," per team reporter Craig Peters.

However, Adofo-Mensah said he'll consider age, injury, and performance during negotiations with Cousins.

"We try to measure it as best we can and protect ourselves and insure against it, but on his side, he's trying to take less risk, right?" Adofo-Mensah added. "That's his job, and they should do that. We'll try to find a place in the middle and see where we end up."

Cousins has spent the last six seasons in Minnesota, compiling a 50-37-1 record. He's led the franchise to the playoffs in two of his six years.