Kirk Cousins, who underwent a contentious treatment in the Caribbean, is recuperating from a ruptured Achilles he sustained in October and wants to be as healthy as possible before contract talks with the Minnesota Vikings or his prospective free agency in March.
According to KARE11, Cousins arrived in Antigua and Barbuda, a twin island nation about 300 miles from Puerto Rico, on January 6 in order to receive stem cell therapy for his hamstring. In order to speed up his recuperation after his November operation in the Twin Cities, the cousins decided to receive more stem cell therapy.
Coming off a major injury, the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is heading into a crucial offseason with hopes of landing another NFL contract as his career nears its end. Before the 2024 season begins in August, he will become 36 years old.
Cousins said to Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Services (ABS) that “[my contract] is expiring in March. I don’t know what’s coming, but I know my Achilles needs to be as healthy and strong as possible, as soon as possible.” “I am in Antigua to ensure that, when I return, my Achilles tendon is as strong as it can be and that I have a lot more football, American football, left in me,” the man said. “I am not here to expedite the healing process.”
Certain stem cell treatments are prohibited in the US by the Federal Drug Association (FDA), and Cousins’ treatment has not received FDA approval. The CEO and medical director of the Prodromos Stem Cell Institute in Chicago, Dr. Chad Prodromos, advised the Cousins to have the therapy in Antigua and Barbuda.
“Kirk is someone I’ve known for a long time,” Prodromos said to KARE11. “The stem cells may improve the healing process. Many football players utilize them because they enhance general health and recovery, among other benefits.
Prodromos stated that the FDA has approved and certified the stem cells, which come from a laboratory in Colorado.
Cousins’ steadfast adherence to his Christian faith is under to examination due to the disagreements among religious leaders regarding the permitted uses of stem cell research and treatments, which extends beyond the controversy surrounding stem cell treatment in the medical community.
Kirk Cousins Expected to Garner Lucrative Contract This Spring
Even though he’s still healing from his injury, Cousins could draw a lot of interest in free agency and sign a big deal.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Cousins as the top quarterback available to free agents in the next offseason, estimating that the 12-year veteran will sign a two-year deal with a $60 million guarantee. According to some salary cap experts, Cousins might sign a multi-year contract paying up to $40 million annually.
Despite the Vikings’ dismal 1-4 start overshadowing his play, Cousins was on track to throw for over 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns prior to his injury in Week 8. He was also starting to get some consideration for the All-Pro team.
Although Cousins ranks fourth all-time in on-field earnings with $231.4 million from his NFL career, he looks set to sign the biggest yearly value contract of his career this summer.
More importantly, will he sign that contract in Minnesota?
The Sticking Point in Kirk Cousins, Vikings Contract Talks
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, general manager of the Vikings, has consistently expressed his desire for Cousins to return, a view that Cousins has repeated since 2021. Nevertheless, Cousins’ decision to play a seventh season in Minnesota hinges on how much of each team is ready to give up.
On the day of the locker cleanout, Cousins spoke with local reporters and stressed that, at this point in his career, the contract structure is more important to him than the money. He will be searching for annual salary guarantees.
While Cousins’ fully guaranteed contracts have limited their financial freedom, the new Vikings administration has demanded more.
According to Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune, the Vikings refused to offer Cousins a third guaranteed salary as part of a three-year contract, despite the two sides being close to an extension last offseason.
It remains to be seen, though, if Cousins and the Vikings will rejoin for one final ride now that another year has passed and he must confront his football mortality and his ephemeral chances at a Super Bowl.
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