Breaking news: Vikings Quarterback Kirk Cousins just announced his departure in…

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly expected to make a concerted effort to re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency, but they’re going to have competition.

Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported Cousins is set to have a “strong market” this offseason despite tearing his Achilles in 2023.

Cousins was on pace for arguably the best season of his career when he went down, throwing for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions in eight games. He already had more 300-yard games in 2023 (four) than he did in the entire 2022 season (three).

The 35-year-old has spent the last six seasons in Minnesota, and it’s hard to fathom him finding a better situation in free agency. Justin Jefferson is arguably the NFL’s best receiver, and the Vikings appear to have hit another home run in drafting Jordan Addison last April.

Jefferson, who is due a massive extension himself this offseason, is also a “Cousins fan” so re-signing the quarterback could wind up being a factor in contract talks.

While questions regarding Cousins’ Achilles are fair, the desperation around the NFL for quality quarterback play will lead to at least one team giving him franchise quarterback money. Cousins will likely guarantee himself becoming the fifth player in NFL history to top $300 million in earnings. He’s made $231.5 million to this point in his career.