Kirk Cousins Again Linked to Nemesis of Vikings
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins is in an awkward spot this offseason, on tap to fill a backup quarterback role this summer for the first time since 2014.
Kirk Cousins could still be traded this summer, and a rival of the Vikings is one of the leading theories.
Cousins left the Vikings after the 2023 campaign, chasing a ginormous contract in Atlanta and paving the way for Minnesota to draft J.J. McCarthy as Cousins’ replacement. But in that same draft, the Falcons selected Washington’s Michael Penix Jr., who ended up pilfering Cousins’ job six months later.
Now, as Penix Jr. won’t be surrendering his job anytime soon, Cousins is quasi-expendable, expensive, and hanging out on the roster as an affluent QB2.
Some believe he could be traded this summer, and once again, the New Orleans Saints have been named-dropped as a “shocking trade” theory, this time from Bleacher Report. New Orleans has emerged as the most popular Cousins trade destination in the last few weeks.
Bleacher Report Links Kirk Cousins to Saints — Again
BR’s Alex Kay brainstormed seven rim-rattling trade ideas around the NFL, and for Cousins, he theorized the Saints. The price? Cousins to New Orleans for Spencer Rattler, a 5th-Round pick, and a 7th-Rounder.
Kay explained, “The New Orleans Saints were dealt a devastating blow when Derek Carr informed the team he would be retiring due to a degenerative shoulder injury. With a new regime helmed by head coach Kellen Moore coming in with high hopes of turning this middle-of-the-road squad into a playoff contender, the quarterback position has to be improved in short order. New Orleans is running out of options to fix a QB room that consists of second-round rookie Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.”
“If the club wants to compete in 2025, it must swing a trade for Kirk Cousins — the last remaining proven veteran who is realistically available. Cousins has been mired in a battle with the Atlanta Falcons—the team that benched him late in the 2024 campaign in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. — for his freedom. Despite signing a blockbuster four-year, $180 million contract just over a year ago, Cousins is hoping to escape Atlanta and sign with a team that could utilize his services at this late stage of his NFL career.”
In all likelihood, even with the Cousins trade theory out in the open, the Saints will roll with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough and call it good.
Kay added, “While Cousins wants out, the Falcons have made it clear they won’t outright release him and are willing to pay the nearly $28 million he’s owed for the upcoming season to work as their backup. If the Saints are going to spring Cousins free, they’ll likely need to take on a large portion of his guaranteed money. For an organization with just $29 million in available funds, such a move is far easier said than done. It’s especially tricky given Cousins represents a major upgrade to one of Atlanta’s division rivals.”
“Still, the Saints could find a way to orchestrate a deal and instantly elevate themselves into contention. If they offer the right mix of financial benefits, draft capital and a replacement backup, the Falcons could ship Cousins to New Orleans to finish out his career.”
Cousins Back at Falcons Minicamp
Not for nothing, Cousins returned to Falcons mandatory minicamp this week after skipping organized team activities (OTAs). His no-show at OTAs raised eyebrows because Cousins rarely misses team-building events.
Cousins, though, would’ve faced some kind of discipline for skipping minicamp — probably fines — and if there’s one thing undebatable about the 36-year-old, it’s that he’s all about his money.
Regardless, Cousins is there at minicamp, and a QB2 job feels probable.
The Clear QB2 behind Michael Penix Jr.
It’s also worth noting that Cousins cannot win the QB1 job in Atlanta unless Penix Jr. encounters an injury. They’re not looking back. There is no quarterback competition.
In New Orleans, conversely, Cousins would, indeed, experience a quarterback battle, pitting himself against Shough, Rattler, or Haener. Cousins would be the odds-on favorite to prevail, so long as Shough didn’t blow him away at training camp and in the preseason.
Other Trade Destinations for Cousins?
The Saints are somewhat unlikely to acquire Cousins because New Orleans and Atlanta are bitter division rivals. It would be weird for the Vikings to hand over a starting quarterback to the Green Bay Packers if they were in a pinch; the same logic applies for the Falcons and Saints.
So, the Cleveland Browns could perhaps explore Cousins’ trade price if their massive quarterback competition proves unfruitful. But then that’s about it for possible QB1 jobs.
Cousins’ best bet may be staying on the Falcons’ roster, while saying all the right things, until a starting quarterback somewhere gets hurt. His trade availability would then glow.
Other “Shocking” BR Trades Theories
Kay unloaded several trade theories in addition to Cousins and the Saints, most notably Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill to the Arizona Cardinals.
He outlined the theory: “The Arizona Cardinals are a potential landing spot for Hill. The team is on the rise under head coach Jonathan Gannon, going from 4-13 in his first season to 8-9 last year. The receiving corps still needs a jolt, however, as Arizona avoided making any major splashes in free agency or the draft at the position.”
“While the Cardinals have a foundational pass-catcher in Marvin Harrison Jr. to build around for the long haul, adding Hill would give quarterback Kyler Murray the weapons he needs to contend in wide-open NFC West races this coming year and over the next few seasons.”
Kay claimed that Hill would cost the Cardinals a 3rd- and 4th-Round pick.
Surprise Rocks Vikings Minicamp
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