A new report added more fuel to the possibility of a Minnesota Vikings reunion with Kirk Cousins this offseason.
The Vikings’ decision to give Cousins a huge three-year $84 million deal in 2018 ended up being a very good move for the franchise. Did the QB become the best at his position during his six seasons in Minnesota? No, but he helped maintain the standard of being a yearly playoff contender. He also had some pretty good years as well.
That is why the four-time Pro Bowler got a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency two years ago from the Atlanta Falcons despite a return from Achilles surgery. The Vikings’ decision not to match that offer was understandable, considering that aforementioned injury, and he was turning 36. Yet, that move hasn’t worked for either team.
Cousins had been a shell of himself in Atlanta and lost his starting job during his debut season. While the Vikings got a huge year from Sam Darnold last season, they were invested in 2024 first-round pick JJ McCarthy long-term and let the former walk in free agency. That strategy proved to be the wrong one as McCarthy disappointed in his sophomore season.
Well, now the Vikings will be looking for another veteran QB this offseason. “Minnesota may not be able to land Joe Burrow, but they will be looking to bring on a veteran quarterback after a disappointing 2025 season at the position,” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports.
Kirk Cousins on Vikings offseason wish list?
Could that veteran be Cousins? Russini suggests it’s definitely possible. “Speaking of those Vikings, one league source speculated that Cousins could be an option there, given his history with Kevin O’Connell and Minnesota’s desire to bring in competition for young J.J. McCarthy.”
However, the NFL insider did report that, despite recent rumors that Cousins’ time in Atlanta is over, that may have changed. The Falcons have a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, and the pair have a relationship after the coach was his offensive coordinator for a season in Minnesota.
Atlanta still needs a good veteran backup of their own as Michael Penix Jr. returns from his third ACL surgery. So there is still a chance that Stefanski persuades Cousins to stay with the Falcons for one more season.
