Have other NFL teams ‘tampered’ with Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins?

Considering what’s been suggested and what we can take as fact, there is a sense of resignation in the stance of the Vikings’ coach. At this point, it seems all but certain that his starting signal caller will be heading to a new team in the near future.

Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell hints at Kirk Cousins tampering

As far as rules are concerned, NFL teams can’t negotiate with the pending free agents of other teams until March 11th. Now, while rules have never stopped anybody from breaking them, recent comments from Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell are concerning. Speaking recently, O’Connell suggested that quarterback Kirk Cousins has already fielded inquiries from around the league. To be clear, Cousins is about to become a free agent. What’s more, is that the Vikings’ head coach went on to imply that it’s only a matter of time before his signal caller leaves the team.

“Yeah, I think the (scouting) combine just kinda gave everybody else an opportunity - even whether they’re supposed to be or not - to maybe have some conversations,” O’Connell said when asked where about contractual negotiations with Cousins. “But I’ve been having the dialogue that you have with a player like Kirk Cousins...I know Kirk, where he’s at in this whole process. He’s earned the right to be a free agent. He’s played really good football. I’ve had a blast coaching him, his fit in the offense,” O’Connell continued. “I know Kirk’s gonna go through a full process. He is a process guy. And hopefully, we continue to be a strong part in that process and we figure out a way to keep him a Minnesota Viking. But my expectation is we’re not gonna be the only ones that would like Kirk Cousins to be the quarterback of our team in 2024.”

So, it’s fair to say that O’Connell seems resigned to the idea that his starting quarterback’s departure is imminent. It would also be logical to assume that he’s not pleased about the likely “conversations” that have occurred between his player and other teams in the NFL. Nonetheless, it is what is. Could there be a price to pay if a team is found to have jumped the gun with Cousins? Sure. Could the Vikings be compensated for that? It’s a possibility. Yet, the more pressing reality is the fact that as things stand, Cousins and the Vikings have failed to reach an agreement on an extension despite expressed interest on both sides to do so. At that point, it looks like O’Connell is right about what’s coming. For the record, Cousin can freely speak with other teams as of 12:00 p.m. ET on March 11th, with any free agent trade finalized starting at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 13th.