Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
It remains to be seen what team he will suit up for, but one thing is for sure.
Kirk Cousins doesn't plan on being limited by the torn right Achilles he suffered in 2023 once the 2024 season begins.
"That's the plan," he told Bleacher Report when discussing whether he will be 100 percent next season. "So far, we're two-and-a-half months in, and everything is on pace. I'm looking forward to just continuing to take steps toward next season. My goal is next season I'm playing and can potentially go back to Lambeau Field where I tore it and I feel so good that I can't even remember that I tore it. That's the goal."
Cousins suffered the torn Achilles when his Minnesota Vikings were visiting the Green Bay Packers in Week 8. It undercut an excellent start to the season that saw him complete 69.5 percent of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
He seemed well on his way to throwing for more than 4,000 yards for the fourth straight campaign, and it also marked the first time he missed significant time for the Vikings since they signed him ahead of the 2018 season.
"It was a strange feeling just because I'm so used to being out there," Cousins said. "Sitting on the sidelines or sitting at home and watching the game is just not a thing I've done normally. It's been a long time. There were silver linings for me being able to see the game and see the preparations and see all that goes on from a different perspective. I think there's value in that. But certainly would have loved to be out there."
The timing was difficult for Minnesota as well considering it was just starting to build momentum after a 1-4 start. It ended up winning the next five games, but the bottom eventually fell out down the stretch with Cousins sidelined as it went 1-6 in the final seven games to miss the playoffs at 7-10.
It certainly didn't help that wide receiver Justin Jefferson also missed seven games thanks to hamstring and chest injuries.
Now the Vikings face some question marks going into the offseason, not the least of which revolve around Cousins' contract status. He is set to be a free agent, which creates something of a dilemma for the team.
On the one hand, it is fair to be concerned since he will be 36 years old next season and coming off a major injury. On the other hand, he has three Pro Bowl selections and four seasons with more than 4,000 passing yards in his six years with Minnesota.
The team was also 13-4 during the 2022 season when he was fully healthy, and he was clearly still effective in 2023 prior to the injury.
So does he have a message for Vikings fans who want him to return?
"Hopefully we can make something happen," Cousins said. "Time will tell. Unfortunately, the timeline is such that the playoffs have to process out and February has to play out with the Combine, and then we get to figuring all that out. With the sheer amount of time between now and then, you just kind of end up waiting around for March to turn when those conversations start to happen."
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 the Vikings do bring him back, they can once again pair him with arguably the best wide receiver in the league in Jefferson and a potential star in the making in Jordan Addison, who is coming off an excellent rookie season. That would also give Cousins the chance to develop more chemistry with the young receiver as the team attempts to rediscover some of its 2022 magic.
But the quarterback is focusing on taking things a step at a time when envisioning what would make a successful 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.
Fans who follow @Tostitos on Instagram and like the collaboration post between the company and quarterback while revealing their favorite game day dish with the #TostbyTostitos and #Entry hashtags will be entered to win Super Bowl tickets, travel and accommodations to Las Vegas, and a VIP reservation at the Tost by Tostitos pop-up restaurant with tableside service from Cousins himself.
Tostitos
"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.
