A Minnesota Vikings – Kirk Cousins Reunion Now Looks Even More Likely

The Minnesota Vikings were in a rough spot at the quarterback position last season. Between sputtering performances and injuries, it's actually kind of miraculous the team still nearly missed a .500 record.

With tons of questions around J.J. McCarthy's inconsistent play when he was on the field last season, what Minnesota does to solidify the position on an otherwise strong team, buoyed by a robust Brian Flores defense, is the loudest discussion this offseason.

Experts are saying Minnesota needs to bring in a veteran to compete with McCarthy for the starting role at quarterback this season. Ideas that have been floated around include Mac Jones or reconsidering Aaron Rodgers' reported desire to play in Minnesota.

Another idea that has been flirted with is a reunion with Kirk Cousins.

I think both the Vikings and Cousins are having a little bit of buyer's remorse after their breakup a couple of years ago.

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Cousins left only to find himself replaced by a rookie for the Falcons; while Minnesota fumbled the Sam Darnold situation and had a mess to deal with last year, trying to cobble together a season led by an oft-injured and inconsistent McCarthy, a very raw Max Brosmer, and Carson Wentz, who had his own injury issues.

Falcons Make A Move That Brings A Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings Reunion More Likely

As the offseason really ramps up, the Falcons announced some news that the Minnesota Vikings' front office had to love.

Following an early February report that Atlanta planned to cut Cousins before the new league year, the Falcons confirmed their plans to let Kirk go.

Falcons GM Ian Cunningham told reporters that the team had informed Kirk and his agent that they plan to release the quarterback on the first day of the new league year, which is March 11.

Waiting until then allows the Falcons some flexibility to spread out his huge $35 million dead cap hit, so his release won't be quite as steep a financial hit.

Upon his release, Cousins will be free to explore other teams he'd like to play for in the 2026 season.

Will Cousins Re-Join The Minnesota Vikings?

Right now, that's an unknown. Cousins, who is now 37, has made a heck of a career out of making a lot of money shopping his skillset around as "the missing piece" for contending teams.

Does Cousins still think he "has it" to the point he wants to demand top-dollar from a team? If so, the Vikings are probably unlikely to pursue him.

If he is seeing his career coming to a close and is warm to the idea of more of a "veteran journeyman" type of contract instead of a top-tier starting quarterback deal, Minnesota may be more interested.

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Assuming Kirk is fine with the idea of a potential open competition with McCarthy for the starting job while taking on the role of mentor, Kevin O'Connell would probably be salivating at the idea of trying again with a less-expensive version of a guy who executed the offense quite well during their time together in Minnesota.

We'll have to wait until we get into free agency to see what actually happens, but the official news from the Falcons they plan to cut Kirk formally opens the door to a Vikings reunion with Cousins.