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Vikings Connected to Familiar QB via Trade
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- Vikings Connected to Familiar QB via Trade
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Most thought it would happen last offseason or before the 2025 trade deadline, but Kirk Cousins as a trade candidate is circling once again. Unsurprisingly, the Minnesota Vikings have been listed as a possible landing spot for the veteran passer, who spent six seasons in the Twin Cities from 2018 to 2023.
If Atlanta eats the money, Cousins could become a cheap contingency plan. If not, Minnesota's better play is reps for McCarthy and a cleaner cap outlook.
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Among a handful of teams, Minnesota was mentioned this week in an article from Bleacher Report as a wise landing spot for the 37-year-old.
The Only Version That Adds Up for Cousins Reunion Is Free Agency
A familiar theory: Cousins to Minnesota is back in the rumor mill.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is taken down late in the fourth quarter on Oct. 27, 2024, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa as the Buccaneers closed out a physical NFC South matchup. The play capped a pressured afternoon for Cousins, who faced consistent heat as Atlanta tried to rally down the stretch. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.
Vikings Included in BR's List of Cousins Trade Destinations
Anytime Cousins' name is mentioned via trade, Minnesota lands on the list. Every time.
Five teams were named, and on the Vikings, BR's Kristopher Knox wrote , "Cousins had three Pro Bowl campaigns in Minnesota. The Vikings have made the playoffs in two of their four seasons under head coach Kevin O'Connell, once with Cousins and once with Sam Darnold .
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"Minnesota actually won the NFC North with Cousins in 2022, and it's not hard to think that the Vikings could be right back in the divisional mix by reuniting Cousins and O'Connell next season. Cousins would get another opportunity to start in a familiar environment, while O'Connell and the Vikings would buy themselves time with which to evaluate and develop McCarthy."
The Vikings will be in the market for a quarterback this offseason, either a man to support J.J. McCarthy or compete with him for the starting job, depending on the front office's current opinion of his career trajectory. Cousins will be frequently referenced by fans and media as an option because of his ties to the coaching staff and his potential availability.
Knox added, "Theoretically, the Vikings have their new quarterback of the future in 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy. However, the Michigan product simply hasn't shown enough consistency — or enough availability — for the Vikings to feel comfortable moving forward with him as the unquestioned QB1."
"McCarthy, who is currently dealing with a hand injury, has been limited to nine starts this season after missing his entire rookie campaign. While he's gone 5-4 as the starter, he's posted a disappointing 71.2 quarterback rating. NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported in early December that the Vikings are expected to add a veteran quarterback to 'push' McCarthy in 2026. If that's the case, bringing back Cousins would make plenty of sense."
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Cousins' Numbers in 2025
Cousins' box score looks respectable if you squint. Seven starts, some decent yardage, a tolerable touchdown count, and just enough completion percentage to be respectable.
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3,600 Passing Yards
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22 Passing TDs
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10 Interceptions
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62.4% Completion
Stretch it across a full season, and you get numbers that pass the surface test, but that's about it.
The problem lies in efficiency. EPA+CPOE has him buried in the bottom third of starting quarterbacks since he took over, which tracks with the tape. The throws arrive, but sometimes they arrive late. The offense moves, but it drags. Nothing is driving winning beyond average QB play.
At 37, Cousins sits in a veteran purgatory-ish territory. He can operate an offense, stabilize a week, and keep a team competitive. He no longer profiles as a franchise quarterback, though his contract suggests otherwise.
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Will Atlanta Finally Trade Him?
The moment the Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. , most expected Cousins to be a short-timer in Atlanta. But the Falcons have refused to trade or release him, even when he has hinted through his agent that he'd rather leave to start for another team.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins celebrates on the field on Nov. 3, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta after a home win over the Dallas Cowboys. Cousins finished the afternoon directing a controlled offensive effort, helping Atlanta secure a needed victory as the season moved into its second half. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
Luckily for his sake, Cousins was named the Falcons' starter in October when Penix Jr. tore his ACL. And because Penix Jr. has suffered multiple ACL tears, Atlanta will need a strong contingency plan in 2026. Penix Jr. may not even be ready for Week 1 next season.
Therefore, while Cousins probably deserves to be cut loose from Atlanta's grip, no one knows if it will actually happen. Cousins felt like a goner during the 2025 offseason. He stayed. Surely he would be traded midseason before the league trade deadline , right? Nope.
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Atlanta has shown that just assuming Cousins will be traded or released is never a foregone conclusion.
Probably Not Worth the Draft Pick
Listen, if the Falcons release Cousins, and that franchise is still on the hook for all of his contract, signing him for cheap as the Vikings' QB2 in 2026 has some upside. He's steady, decently productive, and usually pretty damn healthy.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins talks with teammates on Jan. 7, 2024, at Ford Field in Detroit before the regular-season finale against the Lions. The pregame moment captured Cousins in a familiar leadership role as Minnesota prepared for its final game of the 2023 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports.
But trading draft assets to the Falcons just doesn't seem worth it. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah would lose a draft pick — and then be on the hook for his huge cap numbers. The Vikings, in their current state, cannot afford a starting QB1 salary, especially for a now-mediocre passer in Cousins.
Cousins for cheap? Perhaps. Cousins' $57.5 million cap number in 2026 via trade? No thanks.
