Saints Rumors: Kirk Cousins linked to New Orleans in 2022

We’ll hear tons of New Orleans Saints rumors this offseason, especially at quarterback, as it’s a position NOLA is having issues with. The latest name to be linked to the Saints is none other than current Vikings quarterback, Kirk Cousins.

Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press noted in a recent column that:

"Cousins, 33, is guaranteed $35 million next year, with a salary cap hit of $45 million. On the open market, Cousins, who has played well, probably would get a similar deal. Hint: It’s a good bet he would thrive under offensive-minded Saints coach Sean Payton."

While the Saints are going to be connected to pretty much every available quarterback due to their need at the position, Cousins probably isn’t a fit for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, Cousins wouldn’t come cheap.

As Walters notes, Cousins has a cap hit of $45 million next year. I don’t think I need to be the one to tell all of you that NOLA doesn’t have that kind of money to spare, not unless they made several significant moves and completely readjusted their funds in the offseason.

Saints Rumors: Kirk Cousins to New Orleans in 2022?

Cousins previously was a fourth-round pick out of Michigan State by Washington in the 2012 NFL Draft. It was a puzzling pick for Washington considering they took Robert Griffin III with the No. 2 overall pick but they ended up looking smart with the decision to take Cousins, as he ended up as the full-time starter in our nation’s capital by 2016.

Cousins signed the first-ever contract that was all guaranteed money when he joined the Vikings in 2018 and it’s been met with mixed results. On the one hand, Cousins has put up decent numbers, as his Vikings career-low in touchdowns was 26 in 2019. His career-high in passing yards throughout his career was 4,917, which he did with Washington in 2016.

While his numbers have been decent, it hasn’t led to much success with Cousins under center. His team has been to the playoffs once since he joined the Vikings (beating the Saints, funny enough) and Cousins’ primetime record isn’t something to be proud of (8-17).

Even if there were some legs to this rumor, New Orleans probably can’t afford to acquire Cousins if the Vikings were to put him on the trade block. And who’s to say they will? With how important the quarterback position is, would Minnesota get rid of a guy who’s consistently put up good numbers?

If they do, don’t be surprised to see the Saints linked to Cousins, but I’m not sure this is something that could actually happen.