Bleacher Report Predicts the Vikings’ QB Signing
The Minnesota Vikings will have a new quarterback in mere days if the team adheres to a typical offseason timeline, and according to Bleacher Report, that man will be Kirk Daniel Cousins.
A Cousins reunion would spike attention fast, while keeping McCarthy’s timeline under a brighter spotlight.
Yes, it’s the same guy who spent six seasons in Minneapolis, and the same guy who took his team to the postseason twice in that timeframe.
Cousins Buzz Rekindles the Competition Conversation in Minnesota
Predictions are aplenty, and BR says Cousins to Minnesota.
BR: Kirk to MIN
Predicting the who and where of the NFL’s quarterback carousel, BR’s Kristopher Knox settled on Cousins back to the team that signed him in 2018.
He explained, “Two years ago, the Minnesota Vikings won 14 games with Darnold at quarterback. Despite having a nearly identical supporting cast and returning head coach Kevin O’Connell in 2025, Minnesota won just nine games and missed the playoffs. A big part of the issue last year was the play and health of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.”
“The Michigan product missed his entire rookie campaign following knee surgery, battled more injuries last season, and played inconsistently even when healthy. Minnesota has since admitted that McCarthy isn’t the reliable option it needs right now. The Vikings won’t (and shouldn’t) give up on McCarthy after only 10 starts.”
The betting frontrunner as of late last month to land Cousins in 2026 is the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Knox continued, “However, they appear determined to bring in a veteran who can provide a chance of postseason success as McCarthy continues developing. If Cousins is released by Atlanta, as expected, he’s the perfect candidate. The 37-year-old earned three of his four career Pro Bowl nods in Minnesota and went 13-4 as the starter under O’Connell in 2022.”
“While Cousins may prefer more long-term job security than the Vikings can provide — unless they do decide to end the McCarthy experiment outright — he simply might not be able to find it at this point in his career.”
The 2026 Falcons have already paid him, so there’s a decent chance that the Vikings’ front office could convince Cousins — a Hall of Fame money-earner — to play for the league minimum.
Also BR: Kyler to NYJ
Kyler Murray probably represents Minnesota’s wisest option among quarterbacks expected to be cut. But Knox envisioned a Jets relationship for the 29-year-old.
“The prediction here is that after evaluating all options, the Jets make a move for Murray. The Jets have gotten a good look at Tagovailoa, his injury history, and his physical limitations while battling the Dolphins in the AFC East. Adding Murray would involve less risk, and he’d give Glenn another dual-threat quarterback like he had in Fields and Tyrod Taylor this past season,” Knox opined.
Malik Willis, the league’s top young free-agent passer? Knox claimed the Miami Dolphins would win those sweepstakes.
A Camp Battle Incoming between Cousins and McCarthy if So
The atmosphere would be electric if Cousins returned to Minnesota to compete with McCarthy at training camp. The media frenzy would be immense, with every throw scrutinized as the Vikings pitted their former franchise quarterback against the rookie drafted to replace him. Most fans would root for McCarthy to win the job.
Even if the Vikings have already committed to McCarthy, a genuine quarterback battle would immediately become the summer’s primary focus. The dynamic of a former cornerstone challenging the quarterback of the future would dominate August.
However, Cousins wouldn’t be handed the starting role; he would have to earn it. Unlike other veteran quarterbacks the Vikings have been linked to, such as Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers, or Derek Carr, Cousins wouldn’t walk into an easy situation. He’d be entering a competition.
Just Hope That Cousins Is Better in 2026 than 2025
Here’s a little secret: Cousins stunk in 2025. His team employed Bijan Robinson — arguably the best running back in football — but Atlanta’s offense could not cook. Cousins ranked 30th over 35 qualifying passers per EPA+CPOE, but Cousins-needy Vikings fans basically ignore that stat. They evidently think he’ll improve in Minnesota without Robinson.
Cousins also can’t move much anymore as a scrambler. His best mobile days occurred in Washington at the beginning of his career, and when he signed with the Vikings in 2018, many believed Minnesota was onboarding a semi-mobile commodity. But it quickly became evident that Cousins viewed himself as a pocket passer, and by the time he took off here and there as a Viking from the pocket, it felt rare and odd at the same time.
Meanwhile, some of McCarthy’s best moments in 2025 happened while he was forced out of the pocket and on the move. With Cousins, the Vikings would simply have to hope the offensive line could hold up, as Cousins won’t be dancing around too much at age 38.
Financially, some believe Cousins will accept a league-minimum contract after earning $100 million guaranteed over the last two seasons in Atlanta. Others claim Cousins will do Cousinsian things and ask for another modest payday. Stay tuned. He could also be in the mix for bridge quarterback duty on a team like the Steelers if Rodgers retires.
Cousins’ whereabouts should be clear in about one week. Bleacher Report thinks he’s a Viking. Again.
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