Kirk Cousins is close to signing with the Vikings.

The free-agent quarterback will visit Minnesota on Wednesday and Thursday, and barring an unexpected snag, he will sign a three-year, fully guaranteed contract that will make him the NFL’s highest-paid player.

ESPN and NFL Media reported Tuesday that Cousins’ deal will be worth $84 million. That $28 million per season would be higher than the $27.5 million average San Francisco quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will get from his recently signed five-year, $137.5 million deal.

Cousins is expected to arrive in the Twin Cities on Wednesday night, have dinner with Vikings officials, and tour the Vikings’ new Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center in Eagan on Thursday. He can sign a contract as soon as 3 p.m. Wednesday, the first day of free agency, but likely won’t do so until Thursday.

Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney insisted Tuesday that a deal is not yet done.

“Will only confirm they’ll get the first visit,” McCartney told the Pioneer Press. Related Articles Despite veteran lineup, Vikings’ offense has been horrendous

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Nevertheless, the Vikings’ three free-agent quarterbacks all look to be moving on as if it is a done deal. Case Keenum, last year’s starter, has agreed to a two-year, $36 million contract with Denver. Sam Bradford has agreed to a contract with Arizona that will pay him $20 million for 2018, plus an option worth $20 million for 2019. And Teddy Bridgewater will sign a one-year deal with the New York Jets that ESPN reported would be worth about $6 million if he makes the team.

The Jets were considered Minnesota’s top competition for Cousins, but they are ready to move on. On Tuesday, they also agreed to re-sign quarterback Josh McCown to a one-year, $10 million deal.

Cousins, 29, played his first six years in the NFL for the Washington Redskins. In each of the past three seasons, after becoming the regular starter, he has thrown for 4,000 yards or more.

“Congratulations to the Vikings and Kirk Cousins,” said NFL analyst Joe Theismann, who led the Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XVII 35 years ago. “I think it’s going to be a marriage made in heaven. Now is the time for Kirk to move to that next level of quarterbacking, to become part of the elites. With Drew (Brees), Tom (Brady) and Philip Rivers getting older, it’s time for Kirk to move into that next echelon.’’

NFL Media reported Monday that the Vikings called Brees’ agent Monday to express interest in the future hall of fame quarterback. However, NFL Media reported Tuesday that Brees will get a two-year, $50 million deal to re-sign with New Orleans.

Keenum led the Vikings to a 13-3 record last season and to the NFC Championship Game. However, the Vikings have targeted Cousins for weeks and did not make much of an effort to keep Keenum.

Like Keenum, Bradford and Bridgewater were looked at as options only if the Vikings’ pursuit of Cousins faltered. Bridgewater was the starter in 2014 and 2015 before suffering a torn ACL in the final preseason practice of 2016. Bradford was the starter in 2016 before making just two starts in 2017 because of knee issues.

The Vikings entered free agency with more than $47 million of salary-cap room but have had the ability to carve out more. Still, it remains to be seen how Cousins’s big contract could affect Minnesota’s ability to retain and attract other top players in the future.

Linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, defensive end Danielle Hunter and receiver Stefon Diggs are talented, young players with one year left on their deals that the Vikings will try to lock up with contract extensions before the start of training camp.

News of Cousins closing in on a deal got the attention of Vikings players on social media. Diggs wrote on Instagram “Cousin!!! (sic).” Cornerback Xavier Rhodes tweeted to Cousins, “Happy to have you here. See you April 16 (when spring drills start), FYI… Rhodes will still be close(d) in practice.”

NFL’s BIGGEST CONTRACTS >

Kirk Cousins is expected to sign a three-year, $84 million contract with the Vikings this week, making him the highest-paid player in the NFL. Here are highest-paid players in the league, all of whom are quarterbacks:

Player Team Total deal Average per year

*Kirk Cousins Vikings 3 years, $84 million $28 million

Jimmy Garoppolo 49ers 5 years, $137.5 million $27.5 million

Matt Stafford Lions 5 years, $135 million $27 million

Derek Carr Raiders 5 years, $125.025 million $25.005 million

*Drew Brees Saints 2 years, $50 million $25 million

Andrew Luck Colts 5 years, $122.97 million $24.594 million

Joe Flacco Ravens 3 years, $66.4 million $22.133 million

Aaron Rodgers Packers 5 years, $110 million $22 million

Russell Wilson Seahawks 4 years, $87.6 million $21.9 million

Ben Roethlisberger Steelers 4 years, $87.4 million $21.85 million

*Contract not yet signed