Kirk Cousins wanted stability. The mega deal he signed with the Vikings includes clauses that prevent the Vikings from trading him or applying the transition tag without his consent. However, there is no such line preventing the Vikings from using the franchise tag on Cousins, should it come to that following the 2020 season. Players have previously negotiated no franchise tag clauses into their contracts, including the Saints’ Drew Brees and the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald. Cousins, who was tagged twice in Washington, explained why he didn’t during an appearance on SiriusXM Radio this week. In short, because a third franchise tag would guarantee him a roughly $13 million raise. “My understanding is I can be franchised a third time, but because of the rule change that happened many years ago as a result of a guy like Walter Jones, who was tagged several times at a flat rate, it will be a 44 percent bump on my previous year’s salary,” Cousins said. General manager Rick Spielman made clear, the Vikings view Cousins as the team’s franchise quarterback for the long haul beyond the current three-year contract.