Post by Raptorman on Apr 13, 2020 12:36:12 GMT -6
Nobody takes discounts anymore. Agents and the player unions are pushing the players to get as much money as possible. If the Vikings' FO is "in fear", then they are managing the roster incompetently. They should find money from other avenues like restructuring, as you mentioned, instead of offering a new deal to Cousins. I just can't imagine in contract negotiations seeing Kirk go "actually, I think I'll take less even though we're already lowering the cap $10M this year". Kirk went through enough BS in Washington that he's going to take a good deal when he sees one (not to mention the Jets offered him $90M back in 2017 and took less to play for us!).
Kirk probably could care less about that 10 million. He is still going to make 31 million this year. To the uneducated (about the cap) masses it might make his contract, and thus him look better, and he might care about that, but that is it.
I don't expect any player to take a pay cut for the team. I am not deluded enough to think a player cares more about winning and the team than their bottom line and as much as I like to rip Cousins, I don't blame him for getting as much as he can. My main point is that when push comes to shove, almost all players are about themselves and not the team. Cousins does take a larger portion for doing less than most, but it is what it is.
Cousins, you, me, everyone knew he would be more successful and earn more in the long run playing for the Vikings than a terrible Jets team. He took a little less to make a lot more down the line.
... and neither is this Chris guy.