After a turbulent stint in Atlanta, Kirk Cousins might just have a path back to Minnesota—if the Vikings decide to pull the trigger on a trade.
With Sam Darnold off to the Seahawks, the Vikings have been linked to Aaron Rodgers, who sees Minnesota as his best shot at a Super Bowl in the next two years. But if the Vikings opt against Rodgers, NFL insider Adam Schefter has an intriguing alternative.
Schefter’s Wild Kirk Cousins Theory
“How about this?” Schefter said on his podcast, via The Purple Persuasion. “Minnesota lost out on Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. There’s not an obvious solution. What if Minnesota just waits around until after the draft and then somehow figures out a way for Kirk Cousins to get to Minnesota as the backup to J.J. McCarthy? Wouldn’t that make some sense?”
It does—at least partially. Cousins, after all, was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. last season despite signing a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed. But while Cousins is unhappy in Atlanta, the Falcons have shown little interest in trading him.
Would the Vikings Actually Trade for Cousins?
Schefter believes it’s possible—if Minnesota offers just enough to make Atlanta bite.
“I think the Falcons want to be able to say, ‘We got something back for this guy that we paid so much to get,’” Schefter added. “So maybe Minnesota says, ‘You know what? It’s worth it for us. We’ll give you a sixth-round draft pick.’ They haven’t solved the backup QB issue, J.J. McCarthy is coming off an injury, and they still don’t know what they have. Let’s solidify the position with Kirk Cousins. Doesn’t that make sense?”
It’s a compelling argument. Cousins is desperate to play, and with McCarthy still recovering from a serious knee injury, he could get a real shot at starting in Minnesota. But there’s also a risk: If McCarthy heals up and proves himself, Cousins could find himself back on the bench—just like in Atlanta.
Rodgers or Cousins? The Vikings’ Dilemma
The Vikings are still weighing their options, with Rodgers remaining a potential target. But one thing is clear—Minnesota wants a veteran QB in case McCarthy isn’t ready by Week 1.
Will that quarterback be Cousins? Or will the Vikings take a swing at Rodgers instead? For now, it’s a waiting game—but one that could get very interesting after the NFL Draft.
