NFL Media REALLY Leans into Theory for Kirk Cousins’ Next Team
As of February 21st, Kirk Cousins’ next NFL destination really feels like a two-horse race.
NFL Media REALLY Leans into Theory for Kirk Cousins’ Next Team
Of course, the field could thicken if the Minnesota Vikings don’t extend the 35-year-old passer, with teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers or New England Patriots possibly interested. For now, though, the two-horse sprint seems like a choice between the Vikings and the Atlanta Falcons.
Why? Well, easy. Sportsbooks rank those two teams as frontrunners, and NFL-themed media can’t stop advancing the Cousins-to-Falcons theories. For starters, these are the current DraftKings odds for Cousins’ 2024 team:
- Minnesota Vikings: -200
- Atlanta Falcons: +300
- Pittsburgh Steelers: +800
- New England Patriots: +800
- Las Vegas Raiders: +1000
For context on the Cousins-Falcons moneyline, oddsmakers believe there’s a better chance for Cousins to swing down south to Atlanta in 2024 than the Denver Nuggets repeating as champions in the NBA (+450). That’s pretty wild.
Meanwhile, a sports media giant is in on Cousins to Atlanta, too. ESPN’s Matt Bowen wrote this week, “The Vikings should be in the mix to re-sign Cousins, but I think he fits really well with Atlanta under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson (who worked under Sean McVay in Los Angeles). It works well for Cousins in both the play-action and dropback passing game. Before tearing his right Achilles in Week 8, Cousins was completing 69.5% of his throws and had 18 touchdown passes to five interceptions. He would be an upgrade under center for an Atlanta offense that has plenty of young offensive skill talent in Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson.”
The NFL arm of NBC is promoting the relationship, as well. Pro Football Talk‘s Mike Florio wrote last weekend, “It has to be intriguing for Cousins to play for the Falcons. The division is much weaker than the NFC North. Also, new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson traces to Sean McVay, same as Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell. New coach Raheem Morris is very respected in league circles. And the offense has players like Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, and Drake London.”
A week ago, Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was asked about Cousins’ next NFL destination, and he replied, “He could come to us, but I kind of have a feeling he might stay [in Minnesota].”
These are all clues — good faith or not is debatable — that Cousins is closer to departing Minnesota than ever before. The Steelers scooping Cousins out of free agency also makes sense, but most have settled on the Falcons as his logical next stop. Cousins’ wife, Julie, is from Georgia, and sometimes those angles matter in sports.
If the Vikings decline to oblige Cousins’ usually-large asking price, well, the plot would really thicken in the North Star State. The club would need a QB1 via trade, free agency, or the 2024 NFL Draft. Caleb Williams (USC), Drake Maye (North Carolina), Jayden Daniels (LSU), Michael Penix Jr. (Washington), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), and Bo Nix (Oregon) are expected to go off the board in Rounds 1 and 2 — options for Minnesota if a rookie is preferred.
On the whole, via your scorecards at home, this week and next may be Cousins’ final in the Vikings’ news orbit. The end feels weirdly near.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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