Kirk Cousins Prances into Vikings Rumor Mill
Kirk Cousins rejoining the Minnesota Vikings’ depth chart after a handsomely compensated one-year trip to Atlanta might be on the table, according to the current rumor mill.
Kirk Cousins Prances into Vikings Rumor Mill
Cousins chose the Falcons as his 2024 employer about six weeks before that franchise drafted Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. in Round 1, which put Cousins on a ticking clock as the QB1. The experiment lasted 14 games, and Penix Jr. took over the main job last December. He won’t be relinquishing it to Cousins.
The 36-year-old awaits his 2025 marching orders: get traded to a new team with his consent— he has a no-trade clause — or sit on the bench behind Penix Jr. and merely exist as the most expensive backup quarterback of all of mankind.
And according to Star Tribune, Cousins cannot be ruled out as a QB2 option via trade for the 2025 Vikings behind J.J. McCarthy.
Kirk Cousins to Vikings Is Realistic, per Star Tribune
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling recently wrote in his weekly newsletter: “They could also pursue a trade for a veteran backup: possibly even Kirk Cousins, who lost his starting job with the Falcons and is believed to want out of Atlanta after just one season there.”
“Falcons coach Raheem Morris said this week he doesn’t expect Cousins to participate in the team’s offseason program, and while the quarterback would have to waive his no-trade clause, a source familiar with his thinking said earlier this month he might be interested in a return to the Vikings.”
Some fans had difficulty stomaching Cousins during his six-year tenure with the Vikings. A reunion might generate pandemonium.
Goessling added, “It could be a long shot: The Vikings would have to work out a trade, and Cousins would have to accept a backup role just a year after he left Minnesota because of the Vikings’ plans to draft a first-round QB (only to be surprised by the Falcons’ selection of Michael Penix Jr.). But given Cousins’ familiarity with the offense and his continuing friendship with O’Connell, a return to the Vikings isn’t out of the question.”
Cousins’ Current Situation
Atlanta could’ve released Cousins last month, allowing him to join any team in the NFL via open free agency. But it lived up to its promise: the Falcons do not care that Cousins’ price tag is so expensive. They will either trade him or let him hold down QB2 duties behind Penix Jr.
But because the veteran might cause the almighty distraction behind Penix Jr., an impressionable youngster, the Falcons might seek a trade during this month’s draft.
Cousins can probably be obtained for a 5th-Round pick or so, and Minnesota may evidently be in the market for a QB2, as it has not signed one through four weeks of free agency.
Other Backup QB Possibilities
Assume a Cousins trade is not coming toward a purple team near you. The Vikings are down to four viable QB2 candidates in 2025: Drew Lock, Carson Wentz, Joe Flacco, and Ryan Tannehill.
Trey Lance and Case Keenum joined new teams last week, the Los Angeles Chargers and Chicago Bears, respectively, in addition to about 15 QB2 options heading elsewhere from March’s free agency period.
Minnesota could also be telling the truth about current QB2, Brett Rypien. Every member of the Vikings coaching staff and front office has spoken quite glowingly about him. Perhaps he’s been the undercover QB2 the whole time.
Cousins to Browns Might Be Overblown
Because most QB1 jobs have evaporated for Cousins’ sake this offseason, the Cleveland Browns feel like the no-brainer landing spot. But CBS Sports‘ Cody Benjamin batted away that rumor one week ago.
“There’s no disputing the connections here: Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski was once Cousins’ offensive coordinator with the Vikings, and even after acquiring Kenny Pickett via trade, the Browns are in dire need of proven quarterback help, with Deshaun Watson sidelined indefinitely. Yet the Atlanta Falcons could’ve easily cut ties with Cousins by now if they just wanted future financial relief,” Benjamin wrote.
“The fact they’ve retained his bloated contract instead suggests they’re hoping an emergency arises that prompts another team to surrender legitimate compensation via trade. Why, after dealing a pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Pickett, wouldn’t the Browns just rather add a rookie on an even cheaper deal via the draft?”
If the Browns are out, there’s just one other quarterbackless team …
Steelers Not in the Mix
Pittsburgh is the final destination, at least on paper, for Cousins’ services. Aaron Rodgers is expected to sign with the Steelers, but he’s predictably milking the spotlight of that process.
Bleacher Report, though, seemingly ruled out Cousins as a Rodgers alternative last week.
James Palmer opined, “The Steelers called and kicked the tires early, but my understanding is that Arthur Smith, being the former head coach in Atlanta, still knows plenty of people in that building and kind of got the word on where things are with Kirk in terms of his play and where he’s at in terms of his play as a quarterback. The Steelers, obviously, have fallen off.”
So, if it’s not the Browns, and it’s not the Steelers, well, Goessling could be onto something about the Vikings-Cousins angle.
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