Purple Rumor Mill: Kirk Cousins Back, the Vikings’ Trade Partners, Shaquill Griffin
The Minnesota Vikings’ rumor mill is a monster with no downtime — none whatsoever.
Vikings Rumors: Kirk Cousins Back, the Vikings’ Trade Partners, Shaquill Griffin
So, we do our diligence to track all Vikings rumors weekly, delivering them to folks on Saturdays and Sundays.
Here’s the first batch of the week. Previous rumors can be found here.
Rumor: Kirk Cousins could become Minnesota’s QB2 in 2025 via trade.
Minnesota is truly down to breadcrumbs for QB2 options. If the club does not want to trade draft capital for a backup quarterback, the remaining viable free agents include Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz.
Otherwise, a trade is an option, and Kirk Cousins could evidently factor into that process. 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 would bemoan a Cousins sequel.
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.”
This rumor will remain alive until Minnesota signs a QB2 or verbally commits to Brett Rypien for the job.
Rumor: The Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills could be draft trade partners for the Vikings
ESPN’s Matt Miller sized up the NFL teams most likely to trade in Round 1, and the Vikings’ name was called last week. “Which team is most likely to trade down in Round 1? Minnesota Vikings. With only four selections in this draft, including no second-rounder, the Vikings have less draft capital than any other team,” Miller explained.
“At No. 24 overall, they could benefit from sliding back to a spot like Buffalo (No. 30) or Kansas City (No. 31) to add extra picks. Minnesota could still fill needs at defensive back or defensive tackle later in Round 1.”
These trade partners should be taken seriously for Minnesota — stacked teams that can afford to offload mid-round draft capital to move up the board a little bit.
The Philadelphia Eagles would make sense, too, at pick No. 32.
Rumor: Shaquill Griffin met with the Seattle Seahawks this week, the team that drafted him eight years ago.
Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz tweeted Monday, “Sources: Former Pro Bowl CB Shaquill Griffin is set to visit the Seahawks today. One of the top free agents still available, Griffin appeared in all 17 games for the Vikings last season — totaling 41 tackles, 2 INTs and 6 pass deflections.”
Some fans have held out hope that Griffin might be available this summer, so that if turmoil strikes Minnesota’s CB room again, it could add Griffin and call it good.
The free-agent visit with Seattle makes that less likely.
It’s worth noting, though, that the free-agent visit occurred five days ago, and Griffin has not signed with the Seahawks.
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