NFL Insider Still Thinks Vikings Should Trade for Kirk Cousins
Despite parting ways with Kirk Cousins this offseason, one prominent NFL insider believes the Minnesota Vikings should make a bold move and trade to bring the veteran quarterback back to the Twin Cities.
NFL Network’s Rich Eisen reignited speculation during a recent segment, suggesting that the Vikings could be in a unique position to contend in 2025 if they can stabilize their quarterback situation—and that might mean reacquiring Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons in March, signaling a new era for both teams. Minnesota, meanwhile, drafted Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the 10th overall pick, hoping to develop a long-term answer under center. However, Eisen isn’t convinced that McCarthy—or presumed Week 1 starter Sam Darnold—is ready to guide a playoff-caliber roster featuring stars like Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson.
“If the Vikings want to compete now, and not wait for McCarthy to develop, bringing Cousins back into the fold makes a lot of sense,” Eisen said. “He knows the system, the coaching staff knows him, and that offense is built to win.”
The scenario would, of course, depend on several factors aligning. For one, the Falcons would need to be willing to move on from Cousins just months into his new contract—a scenario that seems far-fetched unless rookie QB Michael Penix Jr., whom Atlanta controversially drafted 8th overall, proves ready to take the reins sooner than expected.
Still, the Vikings’ front office has shown a willingness to think creatively. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah emphasized a “competitive rebuild” when taking the job, and a midseason move for a proven quarterback would certainly align with that philosophy.
Critics of the idea point out that the Vikings chose not to match Atlanta’s offer for Cousins in free agency and might not want to invest heavily in an aging QB recovering from an Achilles tear. But Eisen maintains the fit is too good to ignore if the opportunity arises.
“He was comfortable in Minnesota. He played his best football there,” Eisen said. “If Atlanta opens the door even slightly, the Vikings should consider walking through it.”
For now, it’s speculation—but in the unpredictable world of the NFL, a Kirk Cousins reunion in Minnesota might not be as improbable as it seems.
Honestly, I thought we were done with this. A long offseason of QB speculation in Minnesota — centered around guys like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers, and Kirk Cousins — seemed to be put to bed when the Vikings essentially announced J.J. McCarthy as their guy and then traded for Sam Howell to be his backup.
But here we are. In a new ESPN piece where various writers proposed trades for some of the NFL’s biggest names who could still be moved, insider Dan Graziano and analytics writer Seth Walder went back to the Cousins-returns-to-Minnesota idea.Graziano’s proposal is the Vikings sending a 2026 fifth-round pick, a 2027 seventh-rounder, and cash considerations to the Falcons for Cousins.
“Why this deal makes sense for both sides: Well, it makes sense for all three sides, really, counting Cousins himself. He wants a chance to start and could use his no-trade clause to nix a deal to any place he doesn’t want to go. But if he has to be a backup, we know he liked living in Minnesota and playing for the Vikings. Plus, J.J. McCarthy is still an unknown after his major knee injury, so maybe this could turn into more than just a QB2 destination. In this scenario, the Vikings would agree to pay $10 million of the guaranteed money on Cousins’ contract for 2025.”
