Vikings coach hints that teams may have tampered with QB Kirk Cousins

It’s been six years since the Minnesota Vikings began a season with a starting quarterback not named Kirk Cousins.

That might change in 2024 according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, who recently spoke with NFL Network about Minnesota’s approach to the offseason, which includes keeping the line of communication open with Cousins despite some possible tampering by other teams.

“Yeah, I think the combine just kind of gave everybody else an opportunity — even whether they're supposed to be or not — to maybe have some conversations [with Cousins]," O'Connell said. "Hopefully, we continue to be a strong part [of his process] and we figure out a way to keep him a Minnesota Viking. But my expectation is we're not going to be the only ones that would like Kirk Cousins to be the quarterback of our team in 2024.”

Tampering, as defined by the NFL, refers to “any interference by a member club with the employer-employee relationship of another club or any attempt by a club to impermissibly induce a person to seek employment with that club or with the NFL.”

Had any team spoke with Cousins or his agent at the combine (while he’s still technically under contract with the Vikings) about anything related to his contract, his playing future or anything of the like, it would be considered tampering.