The Minnesota Vikings rumor mill has gone from newsworthy to downright confusing as the offseason has worn on. After not bringing back Sam Darnold, it looked certain that the team would be elevating last year’s rookie, J.J. McCarthy. However, then the rumors about Aaron Rodgers came to the forefront.
While Rodgers would complete the full Brett Favre circle, one NFL insider believes there is a different veteran the Vikings could go after. On the scale of wild possibilities, this one is certainly right up there.
Minnesota Vikings Reunite With Kirk Cousins in Wild Trade Scenario
After a six-year stint with the team, Minnesota finally decided to move on from Kirk Cousins after a torn Achilles sidelined him midway through the 2023 season. He went on to the Atlanta Falcons, where his season was far from ideal.
Now benched in favor of Michael Penix Jr., Adam Schefter believes head coach Kevin O’Connell could look for a reunion due to the lack of options at his disposal.
“Minnesota lost out on Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones. There’s not an obvious solution.”
As a result, the solution presents itself.
“What if Minnesota just waits around till 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, right?”
Oh boy… @AdamSchefter specifically floats the possibility of the @Vikings waiting out the Falcons after the draft and trading for Kirk Cousins to back up J.J. McCarthy.
"It makes sense".
(Via: @AdamSchefter Podcast / YT) pic.twitter.com/xKdRObbXx0
— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) March 18, 2025
The situation appears unlikely right now, but Schefter believes time is the key.
“Maybe the Vikings can wait it out [for Cousins to be released]. The Falcons have been determined not to release him. I think the Falcons want to be able to say, ‘We got something back for this guy that we paid so much to get.'”
Despite still recovering from his ACL injury, Atlanta was more than happy to dish out a four-year deal worth $180 million, which in hindsight looks even worse. Last season, Cousins had one of his least productive years, posting his worst passer rating in a decade.
It ultimately ended with a four-week stretch where he did not record a single touchdown while throwing eight interceptions. He finished ranked 24th on PFSN’s QB+ metric, sandwiched between Aidan O’Connell and Mac Jones.
Still, Schefter believes there might be some value in Cousins, especially for a team as familiar with him as Minnesota.
“So maybe Minnesota says, ‘It’s worth it for us. We’ll give you a sixth-round draft pick.'”
According to Schefter, this move would immediately solve the Vikings’ quarterback depth concerns.
“They haven’t solved their number two. JJ is coming off the injury, you still don’t know what you’re gonna have [with McCarthy]. Let’s solidify the position with Kirk Cousins. Doesn’t that make sense?”
It might not be a McCarthy-for-Justin Herbert swap, but a reunion between Minnesota and Cousins would certainly be an unexpected turn not many saw coming this offseason.