JUST IN: Pundit Claims Minnesota Vikings are Navigating the same Wonderful Problem Amid Kirk Cousins departure.

It is anticipated that the Minnesota Vikings will not have a great season in 2024.

Getting go of Kirk Cousins creates more uncertainty at the very position where it’s most needed: the quarterback position. Sam Darnold, the former No. 3 pick for the Journal who hasn’t lived up to his potential, and J.J. McCarthy, the No. 10 choice in the most recent draft who guided his Wolverines to the CFP National Championship, will replace the seasoned quarterback.

Up until recently, Minnesota was dealing with a different problem: Justin Jefferson wasn’t signed, despite Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s long-standing assurances that it would be completed. Now that issue has been resolved, #18 will play as a Viking for the next five seasons at the very least. Everything in the land rejoiced.

It should come as no surprise that star left tackle Christian Darrisaw, a potentially exceptional player entering his fourth year of play, is now the center of attention. Janik Eckardt, Managing Editor of PurplePTSD, recently wrote about it and hinted that the cost would rise significantly. What is the extent of the next major extension’s problem?

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah once described extending Justin Jefferson as a “champagne problem.” That was not too long ago.

The main point is that GM in Minnesota was happy to be resolving the situation. Given how impressive the young receiver has been, a big contract must exist. Listen, people: the Vikings’ problem with Jefferson was a lot better than the one they had with Laquon Treadwell a few years earlier.

In one instance, the first-round pick by the Vikings greatly, far exceeded expectations, forcing the general manager to put together a historic trade. In the alternative scenario, an early divorce resulted from the Vikings’ first-round pick, a receiver, not living up to expectations.

Christian Darrisaw is subject to a similar reasoning. Mr. Darrisaw, who is only 25, appears to be a key member of the team for at least five more seasons, if not more. He will begin his fourth season, with a fifth-year option attached by Minnesota at the conclusion. In the worst scenario, Adofo-Mensah has at least three years of club control with Darrisaw; the Vikings may even rely on the franchise tag later. A significant extension, however, would be superior to that course.

The work from Bleacher Report and the statement that “Darrisaw’s likely average per year will land near $28 million” are the subjects of Eckardt’s post. “Paying Darrisaw seems all but a formality at this juncture, especially considering the allocation of capital to select quarterback J.J. McCarthy in the top ten in April,” is the concluding statement that provides important background.

Folks, there you have it: McCarthy’s presence is the key. A lot depends on that tiny if, but if the rookie performs to his full potential, there will be sufficient funds to provide the LT1 a sizable payout.

The issue for Minnesota is that Darrisaw has performed so well that he is positioned to demand a significant extension. Justin Jefferson also found himself in that situation. T.J. Hockenson had been there a little while ago. Fantastic difficulties once more.

The Vikings might be heading into the future with three players at tight end, wide receiver, and linebacker who are all capable of playing for big money contracts. Normally, that would be a crippling issue for the salary cap, but Minnesota is trying to align those contracts with the rookie quarterback’s contract, which is fantastic.

If everything comes together, Minnesota might experience a perfect storm. No, success is not guaranteed, but the Minnesota Vikings and the problem extensions that have been and are being worked out have a lot of potential.

As of right now, the Vikings have a little over $26 million in cap room (though the top picks are still unsigned). The 2025 budget now includes over $50 million.