While durability remains a concern, J.J. McCarthy has taken steps toward emerging as the Minnesota Vikings‘ franchise quarterback. Sunday’s win over the Green Bay Packers was just the latest chapter in McCarthy’s rollercoaster season. He started just his tenth game, and played well, but once again, he was forced out of action after re-injuring his fractured hand.
Set to turn 23 on January 20th, the Vikings will head into next season with a very young QB room, led by McCarthy and 2025 undrafted rookie Max Brosmer, who turns 25 in March. No other quarterbacks are on the roster for next season. At least one more addition is guaranteed to arrive before the 2026 season kicks off.
Could that addition be a reunion with Kirk Cousins? It may not be as crazy as it sounds.
After all, the Vikings do need to add more experience to their QB room, just as they set out to do this season by bringing in a 33-year-old Carson Wentz. Cousins will turn 38 before next season kicks off, but he showed late in the season that he’s still got it. His 373-yard, 3 TD game in a 29-28 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15 provided more than enough proof.
Cousins is set to be paid $45 million by the Falcons if Atlanta keeps him on the roster past the fifth day of the 2026 league year (March 15). That’s a lot to pay for someone who Atlanta envisions being their backup QB behind 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr.
While Penix will be recovering from a torn ACL, he’s expected to be back in time for or around the start of the season. That could make Cousins not quite expendable, but not a necessary part of this team’s future, especially at a rate of $45 million.
Thus, the most sensible solution could be to cut Cousins from the team, even if it means Atlanta will still be on the hook for paying him $35 million next season. They’d still be saving $22.5 million, part of which could be spent on finding a different backup who doesn’t quite threaten Penix’s starting job but can still fill in and make spot starts (Joe Flacco?).
If Cousins is cut or even placed on the trade block, then the Vikings could become his next top destination. Cousins does still have a no-trade clause, which essentially gives him full control over which team he’ll be headed to next.
Cousins spent six seasons in Minnesota, where he experienced the most success of his NFL career, earning three Pro Bowl nods and leading the Vikings to the playoffs twice. Cousins and his family made Minneapolis his home, and that was part of his reluctance to sign only another short-term contract to remain with the Vikings. He thought the Falcons would provide more long-term stability and a comfortable position, but he only received further financial security.
Now, as Cousins is potentially set up to choose his next adventure, returning to a familiar offense with Kevin O’Connell and stars like Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison has to be intriguing. Even if it means likely beginning as a backup to another 2024 first-round pick.
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