Kirk Cousins plans to return, but Vikings' future uncertain - ESPN

EAGAN, Minn. — Kirk Cousins' mind went to the worst possible place last month as he was carted into the locker room at Lambeau Field, having just learned that his right Achilles was ruptured.

«You have a lot of thoughts go through your head, and one of them was: 'Is this the last time I play football?» Cousins said Friday in his first public comments since the injury occurred Oct. 29. «Now a couple weeks removed I can say, 'No, it's not going to be. I'm excited to write the next chapter and see what God wants to do with it.»

What that future will look like, and where it will take place, is far less certain. Cousins' contract will void next March, five months before his 36th birthday, and replacement Josh Dobbs has stunned the NFL by leading the Vikings to victories in both games he has played in while compiling the second-best QBR (87.4) of any quarterback in that span.

Cousins reiterated that he wants to finish his career in Minnesota, a sentiment he has voiced consistently since he and the Vikings tabled talks last spring on a potential contract extension.

«Certainly your mind goes there and you know that's coming,» Cousins said of the looming expiration of his contract. «But similar to what we said in April or August, March will happen in March. February will happen in February. Those conversations will happen, but it's just not time yet. We've got so much to focus on with this season. Guys are playing so well. And that's where our attention really needs to be.»

The injury was the first of Cousins' career that required surgery, and he said Friday that his initial reaction to it was to be in denial. He said he couldn't push his foot down but felt little pain in the Achilles and was telling the Vikings' medical staff