The Minnesota Vikings will roll with former All-Pro quarterback, Carson Wentz, in week three, as JJ McCarthy faces two to four weeks out with a high ankle sprain, suffered during last Sunday’s 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
And despite having already signed former third rounder, Desmond Ridder, as an additional backup alongside undrafted rookie, Max Brosmer, many still have doubts as to whether the position group is sufficient.
The former Philadelphia Eagle has had a career that has faced incredible, borderline MVP highs, and very poor lows. All that, in addition to the fact that he has started just two games since 2022, some media and fans have expressed concern for the incoming Carson Wentz-Experience.
So it is natural to link former Viking – Kirk Cousins – to a return to his old team in light of McCarthy’s absence. Cousins has backed up current starter and second year pro, Michael Penix Jr., ever since getting benched after week 15 of the 2024 season.
Given his lack of utility in Atlanta, and his familiarity with Kevin O’Connell’s system in Minnesota – as well as a chance to start for a month (and possibly more) – it would seem like a no-brainer trade for both the Vikings and Cousins.
However, according to NFL insider for The Athletic, Dianna Russini, speaking on ‘Scoop City’, this is unlikely to ultimately unfold.
Kirk Cousins Not On The Vikings’ Radar At The Moment
“We know Kirk wants to get out of there,” Russini said on Scoop City on Wednesday, “he wants to be a starter somewhere. He wants an opportunity to play. Unfortunately from what i can gather, the Atlanta Falcons are not trying to move him at this moment.
Russini notes that she whilst connected the dots between Cousins and the Vikings sans their former 10th overall pick, she does not believe Minnesota is considering it at this point. Partially, because she explains that any trade Cousins trade that would occur would have the Falcons require that the trading team eat either the entirety or a large portion of his gargantuan salary.
“Because my thought too when I saw JJ McCarthy go down… Maybe a reunion of Kirk Cousins and Kevin O’Connell’… From what I understand that’s not on the table, that’s not something Minnesota’s looking in on.”
There’s no story right now where Kirk Cousins goes back to play for the Minnesota Vikings.
Is Kirk Cousins ‘Done’ As A Starting Quarterback In The NFL?
James Palmer – co-hosting the podcast with Russini, indeed believes that this could come down to Cousins’ perceived lack of viability as a starter in the NFL, as he reports that multiple sources around the league consider him to be “done” as any franchise’s starting QB.
There were some people around the league that I talked to who think that Kirk Cousins is essentially done,” Palmer stated on Scoop City.
Whilst Palmer qualifies that he does not know whether all teams feel similarly, or if it is just a select few sources, he believes that for any team to make a move for him and take on a good chunk of the 4 year, $180 million deal the 4 x Pro Bowler signed last offseason – they would have to believe that he remains a player of bona fide starting-caliber in the league. And it would appear that not a whole lot do at this point in time.
Cousins’ future is certainly not finished – especially if the Falcons decide to release him at the end of the season, in a move that would incur a dead cap hit of *only* $35 million. But for the time being, it would seem that he will remain as the veteran backup to Penix Jr. in Georgia.
Report: Vikings Reunion ‘Not On Table’ For ‘Done As Starter’ Ex QB