Because of some creative timing in Kirk Cousin's contract (his current deal voids after the deadline to tag a player is passed), he can’t be franchised by the Vikings, so all he has to do to become available to the other 31 teams is, well, do nothing contractually until mid-March, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports.

At this point, it makes the most sense for him to do that. The current Minnesota brass, now going into its third season, really likes Cousins, but it’s also been made clear that they’re not going to go contractually where the previous regime did twice, and give Cousins a fully guaranteed deal. Absent that, Cousins is now in position to hit the market like he did six years ago, this time older and, of course, more injured.

That said, the success he’s had in the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan offense, both early in his career with Kyle in Washington, and over the last two years under Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota (and before that with Kevin Stefanski and Gary and Klint Kubiak) would ostensibly make him an attractive candidate to join new offensive coordinators in Las Vegas (Luke Getsy) or Atlanta (Zac Robinson), who have strong ties to that coaching family.

What sort of price Cousins will be able to command is another question. Derek Carr and Garoppolo did pretty well on the B-level market last year, as did Geno Smith, so something like $30 million would seem to be attainable. Is $40 million or $45 million per in reach? That’s a good question, as is how far the Vikings would be willing to go to keep Cousins.

For what it’s worth, the Vikings did touch base with Cousins’ camp last week, as they got their pre-combine meetings going, so the lines of communication are open. More clarity could come in Indianapolis next week.

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