A Vikings Conspiracy That Refuses to Go Quiet
Minnesota Vikings safety Kamren Curl (3) in action during the NFC wild card showdown against the Los Angeles Rams on January 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Here’s a little secret: National NFL media loves to daydream about a Kirk Cousins reunion with the Minnesota Vikings.
One Vikings theory just won’t die — and with some ideas stirring the pot again, the speculation is back in full force. This is the latest from the rumor mill.
Cousins is disgruntled, to an extent, with his QB2 job in Atlanta behind Michael Penix Jr., informing the masses in a recent Netflix documentary that he felt a bit misled by the Falcons during 2024 free agency.
And with Penix Jr. firmly in line to start this season, Cousins’ services might be best utilized elsewhere — and sites like Bleacher Report just love to speculate about a reunion trade to Minnesota.
It’s a Kirk Cousins Trade Theory Once Again for the Vikings
This talker has persisted for months.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) celebrate a second-half touchdown against the Chicago Bears on Dec. 20, 2021, at Soldier Field in Chicago. Mandatory Credit: Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports.
Drum Banged Again on Kirk Cousins Trade
Because Cousins revealed his discontent about playing for the Falcons — rather candidly on Netflix — the trade rumor mill began chirping once again.
And according to Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report, Minnesota represents a sensible landing spot.
He explained, “The Vikings do have their quarterback plan in place with J.J. McCarthy taking over the starting role after being the 10th overall pick in last year’s draft. Cousins can return and serve as an insurance policy. Obviously, the veteran knows the system and had success under Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s supervision.”
“McCarthy has yet to prove he’s capable of doing so. His rookie season became a wash after suffering a torn MCL during the preseason, but the 22-year-old isn’t starting from scratch after being in the locker room and learning from O’Connell for an entire season.”
Cousins quarterbacked the Vikings for six seasons from 2018 to 2023, resulting in two postseason appearances and one single victory — in 2019 over the New Orleans Saints.
Sobleski continued, “At the same time, though, the Vikings have yet to see what he can do when games matter. A possibility exists that McCarthy isn’t ready to start. Keep in mind, he’s younger than Cam Ward, who was chosen with this year’s No. 1 overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. And Sam Howell isn’t the same caliber of Sam Darnold when it comes to further QB options on the roster.”
“If the Falcons want to shed a portion of Cousins’ salary and get a little something in return, a reunion in Minnesota makes a lot of sense for a team that finished 14-3 a year ago and isn’t looking to take a step back, even with a young quarterback as the plan moving forward.”
This Thing Won’t Die
The Falcons benched Cousins late last season, and from that moment, the writing was on the wall that he’d depart before too long. Cousins will turn 37 this summer, but some still believe he could have QB1 juice in the tank.
Minnesota has remained a popular landing spot for two reasons: a) He has ties to the organization for six seasons b) J.J. McCarthy is unproven.
Anytime a Cousins trade destination article is published — there are many — the Vikings are basically guaranteed to be included.
Why a Cousins Trade Doesn’t Make Sense
Listen, Minnesota is set for all systems go with McCarthy. It’s not that complicated; it’s not controversial. The team also secured Sam Howell as McCarthy’s backup, and Howell is 12 years younger than Cousins.
Trading for Cousins would invoke backward thinking from a progressive Minnesota leadership regime, and that same front office and coaching staff don’t treat McCarthy like a fledgling, half-measured solution.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) exits the field following a game versus the New Orleans Saints on Sep. 29, 2024, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Minnesota won’t trade for Cousins, only to demote McCarthy. Could you imagine the outcry?
No QB1 Jobs Available
Cousins is in a rough spot if his goal is to be a QB1 in 2025. All teams have solidified QB1 plans — why would they have waited until July? — and no open jobs exist.
Perhaps Cousins could’ve latched onto the New Orleans Saints’ roster if Atlanta released him in February or March, or maybe the Indianapolis Colts before Daniel Jones signed.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) walks off after the final whistle against the Carolina Panthers on Oct. 13, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images.
It’s simply too late for Cousins to ride in a white horse for QB1 duty — unless some team’s QB1 gets injured this summer.
Browns as the Other Decent Theory
The Cleveland Browns, on the other hand, could make a wee bit of sense for Cousins if a trade materializes.
Sobleski wrote, “At this juncture, Joe Flacco is the most likely candidate to earn the nod. Browns fans will look back to the 2023 campaign and hope he can rekindle the magic that led him becoming the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. But he’s now 40 years old and played poorly for the Indianapolis Colts last season. Even with Flacco’s hot streak two seasons ago, the team still bowed out of the postseason’s first round.”
“Kenny Pickett is competing with Flacco as another veteran trying to lead the team as QB1. He has yet to show he’s worthy of that distinction after being a first-round bust with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cleveland can cut both and only cost the team $4.2 million while gaining $1.25 million.”
Flacco will likely start this September, with Shedeur Sanders getting a look before too long.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (15) unleashes a pass in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 10, 2023, at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports.
Sobleski added, “The Browns could easily take on a chunk of Cousins’ $27 million base salary if necessary. From there, Cleveland has a pair of rookies in Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, who were chosen in this year’s third and fifth rounds, respectively. Maybe one of them surprises and shows they’re capable of being an NFL starter. Their draft statuses don’t indicate the Browns feel the same way. Instead, one or both can be backup developmental options.”
“A healthy Cousins returning to Kevin Stefanski’s system, where he experienced his best seasons, can settle a lot for the Browns and actually make them competitive, considering the state roster with veterans such as Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, David Njoku, etc.”
Cousins might just have to wait for his trade papers until a prominent starting quarterback falls injured. It’s morbid, but that may be his best strategy.
