Vikings Rumors: Kirk Cousins to Vikings, Justin Simmons, Jonathan Bullard
We are hosts and conveyors of the Minnesota Vikings’ weekly rumor mill, providing the heat each weekend on all Vikings-themed rumors.
The Vikings rumor mill always contains juicy material, and here’s the first batch of weekly rumors.
Nary a week goes by without a purple rumor — or several.
Here’s the batch for Saturday, June 7th. Past rumors are available here.
Rumor: The Vikings are a realistic and logical trade destination for Kirk Cousins.
Pro Football Network‘s Cameron Sheath decided this week that Kirk Cousins could be traded back to Minnesota.
He explained, “In truth, given Cousins’ age (he’ll be 37 at the start of the season), it’s difficult to look beyond the Steelers and the Saints, two teams that need an immediate starter, as likely destinations for Cousins. But the recurring mentions of the Minnesota Vikings regarding the aforementioned Rodgers make them an unlikely Wild Card for their former player’s signature.”
“Cousins’ hefty salary limits his potential landing spots to teams in immediate need of a starting quarterback — reportedly not including the Vikings. Minnesota is said to be confident in 2024 rookie J.J. McCarthy, despite the fact that he missed his entire first season with a patellar injury.”
Some wonder why Cousins, who wants to start somewhere this season, would approve a trade to Minnesota — he has a no-trade clause — when J.J. McCarthy is in line to lead at QB1. If Cousins wants a QB2 gig, well, he has one in Atlanta already.
Sheath continued, “While the plan appears to be turning the offense over to McCarthy, it’s not out of the question that he may need more time to adjust. Some believe the former Michigan star is ready to shine from day one, while others are more skeptical. Regardless of his talent, there’s reason for caution when a young quarterback is coming off a serious injury.”
“As for Cousins, his situation remains a curious one. Just a year removed from a $180 million contract, he may find himself without a clear path to a starting job. If no team sees enough value to trade for him, he could remain on the Falcons’ bench indefinitely.”
We understand that Cousins is familiar with the Vikings’ offense, but we’re not buying a trade for his services, especially when one considers his fat contract. Cousins always has a fat contract.
Rumor: Minnesota should sign safety Justin Simmons, a four-time All-Pro.
SI.com has decided that the Vikings should sign Justin Simmons.
Gilberto Manzano wrote about Simmons’ free agency, “Best team fit: Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings could use another safety with Camryn Bynum now with the Indianapolis Colts and Harrison Smith possibly needing to play less in his 14th season. It wasn’t that long ago that Simmons made three consecutive Pro Bowls for the Denver Broncos from 2021 to ’23.”
“Simmons, 31, who had a quality lone season with the Atlanta Falcons, can help form a productive safety rotation in Minnesota with Smith, Theo Jackson, and Josh Metellus. Solid coverage is a need in Brian Flores’s aggressive defensive scheme.”
This one makes more sense than a Cousins trade, but Minnesota is probably content rolling with Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, and Jay Ward at the position. If an injury arose, that’s a different story.
Rumor: Former Vikings DT Jonathan Bullard could sign with the Saints.
ESPN’s Mike Garafolo tweeted at the start of last week, “The Saints are hosting veteran DL Jonathan Bullard on a visit today, source says. A starter the past three seasons with the Vikings, Bullard has history with Brandon Staley, as the two were together in 2017-18 with the Bears.”
The New York Jets, too, could be an option for Bullard. SI.com’s Patrick McAvoy wrote in May, “The New York Jets have kept their plans under wraps this offseason so far but have done a good job adding talent to the organization. Are they done making additions, though? Right now, the Jets have over $27 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.”
“Bullard is 31 years old and is a nine-year National Football League veteran. He was selected with the No. 72 overall pick in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Bullard spent the first three seasons of his career in Chicago and has spent time with the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and Minnesota Vikings. He spent the last three years with the Vikings.”
The former Viking is a steady run-stopping interior defensive lineman. He should find work before too long. The Saints actually make a lot of sense.
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