There's a chance the Vikings see something that makes them uncertain about J.J. McCarthy as the offseason goes on.
After all, this is a second-year QB who missed his entire rookie season with a knee injury. It wouldn't be a shock for him to be rusty or not quite up to speed.
If that happens, Minnesota could still pursue a veteran quarterback. And there's a relatively inexpensive reunion that might be out there.
ESPN's Adam Schefter provided the insight in a new report on Monday.
Schefter wrote about the Falcons willingness to trade Kirk Cousins. He said Atlanta wants an acquiring team to pay $20 million of the remaining $45 million in guarantees on Cousins' contract.
Further, Schefter doesn't expect any team in the league to do that. But then he threw in this line about potentially paying half that amount.
"There is a feeling around the league that a team, whether it is the Vikings or Steelers, might be willing to pay down roughly $10 million," Schefter wrote.
That's new information for sure.
Cousins, of course, was a star in Minnesota for six years, throwing 171 touchdowns and compiling a 50-37-1 record as a starter.
This version Cousins isn't anywhere near his prime, coming off a 16-INT season that was worst in the league for 2024.
But he might do well throwing to the likes of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.
Schefter summed up the situation in Atlanta like this: "The Falcons and Cousins recognize their future is not together, and how it will play out could very well be influenced by this draft."
It might be later in the offseason until the Vikings pursue such a move. But it doesn't appear to be off the table.
