Cousins could return and put pressure on J.J. McCarthy
If there is an able-bodied available quarterback, you can bet they will be linked to the Minnesota Vikings. Kyler Murray has been named, trading for Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson has been speculated about, and a reunion with Kirk Cousins is on the table.
Unless Minnesota can land a high-end quarterback like Burrow or Jackson, you can expect the Vikings to land a low-risk, high-reward quarterback or a veteran quarterback.
Bradley Locker of PFF believes Cousins will return to Minnesota as depth.
"The Vikings began their offseason in unexpected fashion by firing general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah well after their season ended, with the team’s recent quarterback fiasco playing a significant role in his dismissal. It doesn’t seem as though J.J. McCarthy’s time as a starter is over yet, but Minnesota needs more competitive depth — especially given his injury history.
In the second year of his $180 million contract with the Falcons, Cousins played to a 75.0 PFF passing grade with only a 1.7% turnover-worthy play rate across 289 dropbacks. Cousins looked more recovered from his torn Achilles in 2023, but he’ll also be 38 at the start of the season and three years removed from his 85.1 passing grade.
Atlanta is expected to cut ties with Cousins in March, and while a return with Kevin Stefanski is not out of the picture, he’ll presumably seek a destination where he can compete to start. The Dolphins, Jets, Cardinals and Steelers could all make sense for the veteran as a stopgap option, but a reunion with Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota seems like the best and most probable pairing for all involved."
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler spoke to sources around the league and found out Minnesota is a preferred destination for the available quarterbacks this offseason.
"My sense right now, from asking around," Fowler said, "is all the top quarterbacks that will be, or could be, available, Kyler Murray, Geno Smith, this is the place they want to go. It is Minnesota."
The offseason is going to be interesting. The Vikings quarterback position is desirable because of the offensive weapons and the playcaller. Any quarterback would be in a great position to run this offense. Could it be Mac Jones? Malik Willis?
McCarthy will have to look over his shoulder in training camp no matter what. Quarterbacks will line up to throw to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings are in win-now mode.