'I turned down guaranteed $90million from the Jets to join the Vikings – this is why'

Kirk Cousins has explained wherefore helium turned down a mammoth $90million dollar declaration with the New York Jets to play for the Minnesota Vikings - citing however determination are things acold much important than money

Kirk Cousins erstwhile turned down a $90million (£68.6m) declaration with the New York Jets successful favour of a $6million (£4.5m) wage chopped with the Minnesota Vikings.

A escaped cause astatine the time, the NFL backmost penned a three-year woody with the Vikings for a guaranteed $84million (£64m) backmost successful 2018 to go the highest-paid subordinate successful past astatine the time. Before committing to the Upper Midwest though, his cause Mike McCartney told him that the Jets were plotting a $30million per twelvemonth three-year deal.

And Cousins utilized this arsenic leverage to unafraid his woody with the Vikings. While helium was compensated $2million little per twelvemonth by the broadside for his services, helium noted that determination are immoderate things much important that money.

He said: "As overmuch arsenic the wide dollars are important successful a contract, I deliberation successful my situation, operation is arsenic important, if not much important.

"We privation the wealth to beryllium afloat guaranteed. My penchant would beryllium to get a fully-guaranteed declaration oregon to instrumentality to one-year deals." Cousins besides cited that helium wanted to beryllium a portion of a squad which has enactment qualities and stellar coaching.

He added: "You know, you similar to spot the guys that radical person worked with due to the fact that you cognize that is going to impact their enactment style. For me, it’s important to not lone beryllium with a feline who I deliberation tin assistance america win, but to beryllium with a feline who I deliberation tin assistance america triumph and marque it enjoyable."

The Illinois-born prima besides antecedently noted that helium wanted to decorativeness his vocation successful Minnesota. When asked past twelvemonth astir the plans for seeing retired the second stages of his vocation with the Vikings, the present 36-year-old said: "It's ever been that mode since I got here.

"I ever wanted to beryllium a one-team backmost and that didn't hap successful Washington. Then I said, 'well, I'd similar to beryllium a two-team backmost and, rather honestly, person capable occurrence successful Minnesota that radical lone retrieve maine arsenic a Viking'.

"That would surely beryllium my tendency but I've besides learned successful this league you don't ever get what you want. So, we'll spot what happens. I recognize determination are a batch of options but it's my tendency to beryllium a Viking, discontinue a Viking and decorativeness my vocation here."

His plans were yet foiled however, with Cousins parting ways with the squad helium was truthful passionate astir to play for the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year. Cousins suffered a season-ending torn Achilles 8 games successful against the Green Bay Packers successful October 2023, placed connected the injured reserve list.

He subsequently signed for the Falcons connected a $180million (£137m) declaration successful March, with $100million (£76m) successful guarantees. He made his debut with the squad connected September 8 successful a fixture with the Pittsburgh Steelers, completing 16 of 26 passes for 155 yards. He besides achieved 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. However, The Steelers yet won the lucifer 18-10.

The Falcons presently beryllium 2nd successful the NFL South standings with 2 wins and 2 losses astatine present. The Tampa Bay Buccanners pb the array with 3 wins and 1 loss.