The Internet Strikes Again with a Ridiculous Vikings Trade Pitch
Kirk Cousins worked for the Minnesota Vikings from 2018 to 2023, and a few times annually since his departure, someone decides that the purple team may need him back via trade.
One of the most trendy theories for the Vikings as of late is a reunion trade with a certain someone — a “you know who” former Minnesota quarterback.
Such is the case again in October 2025, as Fansided scripted a litany of deals approaching the NFL deadline. Wouldn’t you know it? Cousins to Minnesota made the cut.
No, Kirk Cousins to the Vikings Won’t Happen
Just because he played there before doesn’t mean his former employer is itching to have him back.
Fansided Rolls Out Kirk Cousins Trade Proposal for Vikings
Among 10 high-profile trade proposals, Christopher Kline advanced a theory that Cousins should return to Minnesota.
Yeah, yeah, yeah… I know. But let’s face it, Kirk Cousins would look awfully good in a Minnesota Vikings uniform right now! He’s in the final year of that contract and the Vikings are paying pennies on the dollar at the quarterback position right now between J.J. McCarthy and Carson Wentz. While Wentz has done well enough in McCarthy’s stead, there’s a much higher ceiling with Cousins, who knows the Kevin O’Connell playbook like the back of his hand, and who was a Pro Bowl-level starter the last time he donned a Vikings uniform.
McCarthy will reclaim the starting gig upon his return from injury, but this is the second ankle ailment in two seasons for McCarthy. He’s hardly reliable. Plus, what we saw pre-injury did not exactly inspire confidence. At worst, Cousins is an overqualified veteran mentor, not dissimilar to his current role with the Atlanta Falcons. At best, he can step in for half a season, deliver Minnesota to the playoffs, and then cede the reins to McCarthy in 2026 when the kid is more up to speed.
Michael Penix Jr. is in charge as the QB1 in Atlanta, and outside of an injury, he will not relinquish that job to the handsomely paid 37-year-old Cousins.
A Theory That Never Quite Dies
Cousins departed Minnesota in the 2024 offseason, fetching an $180 million contract over four years in Atlanta. The Falcons benched him eight months later, nominating Cousins as a $45-million-per-season clipboard holder.
So anytime Minnesota experiences a quarterback injury or the slightest hint of depth uncertainty, NFL pundits dial the machine to propose a reunion in Minnesota.
The problem? Cousins’ fat salary — that’s his modus operandi — does not fit anywhere in Minnesota’s budget, nor does the purple team seem like an organization that would look backward by onboarding Cousins and his chunky contract.
Still, NFL media loves to smush Cousins into theoretical Vikings trade talks and probably will continue until the man retires.
Minnesota Set at QB
The Vikings’ quarterbacks aren’t wholly healthy right now — McCarthy is navigating a high ankle sprain recovery and Wentz has a sore left shoulder — but the quarterback room is pretty damn full.
General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah even parted ways with QB4 Desmond Ridder a couple of weeks ago, so it’s not like Minnesota is starved for a passer who rakes in $45 million per season on the bench.
Between McCarthy, Wentz, and rookie Max Brosmer, the Vikings would exhaust those options before exploring a Cousins trade in the next three weeks before the league deadline.
Cousins Missed Out on CIN Trade
One week ago, the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns shocked the masses by finagling a deal centered on Joe Flacco. Flacco left Cleveland for Cincinnati, as the Bengals hope Flacco can help produce a winning record until Joe Burrow returns from injury, which feels unlikely.
Cincinnati allegedly didn’t make the call to Atlanta about Cousins, likely because of — you guessed it — his gargantuan contract.
The fact remains that Cousins’ best hope for a QB1 job this year is an injury to a high-profile starter around the business, and he already missed out on the Bengals’ opportunity. He might be stuck in Atlanta.
Other Trade Proposals from Kline
Among several ideas, Kline also served up a New Orleans Saints swap with the Pittsburgh Steelers, sending running back Alvin Kamara to Mike Tomlin’s team.
Kline explained, “The Pittsburgh Steelers naturally throw the football a ton with Aaron Rodgers lined up under center. Credit where it’s due, Arthur Smith has adjusted beautifully to his new quarterback and put the Steelers in a position to win every week.”
“That said, the run game needs help. Jaylen Warren assumed RB1 duties following Najee Harris’ free agent departure. It was a long time coming, but Warren simply looks overmatched relative to other bell cow backs around the league. Alvin Kamara is a unicorn of sorts — the rare veteran running back who’s still putting up Pro Bowl numbers in his early-30s.”
Pittsburgh’s ground game has worked rather well in recent weeks with Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell. Vikings fans can attest to the latter.
“Pittsburgh probably views Kamara as a rental, but he’s a far more dynamic option working out of the backfield. He can run between the tackles, bounce to the outside, or run crisp routes and impact the game as a pass-catcher,” Kline added.
“Kamara’s arrival pushes Warren back to his more natural change-of-pace duties and gives Rodgers another accomplished, dependable weapon to incorporate offensively. This is a great outcome for all parties invited.”
On Cousins, his next best chance to leave Atlanta’s QB2 grip may be in the offseason.
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