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NFL Insider Drops Another Kirk Cousins Clue for Vikings
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- NFL Insider Drops Another Kirk Cousins Clue for Vikings
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Reports of Kirk Cousins's possible 2026 reunion with the Minnesota Vikings have swung back and forth through seven weeks of the offseason, and the latest clue leans heavily in favor of a partnership. Jason La Canfora spilled his version of the beans this week, insinuating that Cousins could indeed be back to work alongside J.J. McCarthy .
The latest buzz suggests Minnesota could revisit Cousins, but the real story is what job he'd hold.
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Cousins worked for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023, helping the club reach the playoffs twice in six years and earn one postseason win.
Cousins Reunion Buzz Gains Momentum
The rumor saga continues.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) goes through warmups at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sep. 21, 2025, preparing for kickoff as cameras track his pregame routine. The veteran signal-caller loosens his arm and scans the field ahead of another regular-season road assignment. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
La Canfora: Cousins to MIN Is Real
La Canfora wasn't shy this week about banging the drum of a Cousins reunion. He wrote , "Despite interest from other teams, a reunion with Minnesota seems likely due to Cousins' fit and affection for the city. The NFL moves in mysterious ways, and just two years after Kirk Cousins left Minnesota for a hefty contract in Atlanta. "
"There is now a growing sentiment among NFL executives in the market for quarterbacks that Cousins could very well end up back with the Vikings."
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Minnesota has made it crystal-clear that another quarterback to accompany McCarthy is on the way; it's just a matter of who and what that man's role will be.
"McCarthy has proven to be difficult to be develop, according to multiple league sources, with his erratic play playing no small role in the franchise recently moving on from its general manager," La Canfora continued.
"Cousins finally began to play better football late last season after an Achilles injury, and a poor fit in Atlanta's offense, led to basically two lost seasons with the Falcons. In a very weak free-agent class, he stands out as a legit stop-gap option."
McCarthy started 10 games in 2025, the first batch of his career, and ranked dead last leaguewide in EPA+CPOE .
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Cousins's Role?
Imagine a Cousins reunion in Minnesota gaining traction, as La Canfora suggests. The appeal extends beyond mere nostalgia. Cousins previously held the undisputed QB1 position for the Vikings. A return, however, wouldn't automatically reinstate him.
Kevin O'Connell would face three plausible options: immediately name him the Week 1 starter in 2026, conduct a genuine training camp competition with McCarthy, or assign Cousins to a true QB2 backup role, similar to his anticipated situation in Atlanta in 2025.
Statistical context is key to evaluating Cousins's potential. In 2023, his last full season as Minnesota's starter, Cousins ranked fifth in the league in EPA+CPOE. In 2025, that figure plummeted to 30th out of 35 qualifying players. An Achilles tear and the passage of three years separate the potential 2026 version from the 2023 version. While his past accomplishments still hold value, realistic projections require caution. The Vikings won't get the prime version of Kirko.
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La Canfora's also noted on his source's intel, "That GM was fairly adamant about a Cousins reunion with Minnesota, though there will clearly be other interested parties. Cousins and his family loved being in Minnesota, he fits the system, they are loaded with skill player talent on the roster."
"It just may be too good a fit for the team or player to neglect. In other news, quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Malik Willis are also viewed by league insiders as potential movers this offseason."
A Forgettable 2025 Campaign
The aforementioned stat: in 2025, 35 quarterbacks matched or exceeded Cousins' passing volume. Of those 35, he ranked 30th in EPA per play.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Oct. 8, 2023. Cousins surveys the pocket as protection forms around him in a tightly contested nonconference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Should Minnesota reconsider signing him, the front office would be betting on a quarterback who, among qualifying players, ranked as the league's fifth-worst the previous season. Expecting him to lead them to Super Bowl contention would require a significant leap of faith. Almost a comical leap.
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The physical aspect further complicates the situation. McCarthy's most effective plays in 2025 occurred when he improvised outside of structured plays, scrambling and resetting. This type of flexibility isn't merely an option in O'Connell's offense; it's integral.
Cousins, on the other hand, operates almost exclusively from within the pocket. This has been his established style for years, and at 38, it's unlikely to change. While his arm remains strong, his mobility is stinks.
Minnesota's offense, as of late, requires an adaptable and nimble quarterback; Cousins offers inflexibility.
McCarthy v. Cousins in the Summer Somewhat Poetic
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No matter one's opinion of Cousins, the camp battle between him and McCarthy would be one for the ages, at least per the public opinion spectacle. The Vikings would showcase a competition — a real one — of its past and future, with most probably cheering for McCarthy to win the QB1 job along the way.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) participates in pregame drills at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Dec. 7, 2025, getting in reps before kickoff. McCarthy works through throws and footwork as the Vikings finalize preparations for their home matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
The optics might be weird and awkward — crawling back to Cousins after a tumultuous early experience with McCarthy. But in the grand scope of Vikings history , the two duking it out in Eagan would be rather fascinating.
