The Minnesota Vikings have made it clear all offseason that they’re going all in on J.J. McCarthy as the team’s quarterback. After drafting McCarthy with the 10th-overall pick in 2024, and losing him during his rookie season to a knee injury, the young QB is now healthy and on track to be the starter. Minnesota also believes he’s ready, and that’s why the team was comfortable letting Sam Darnold leave after a Pro Bowl season in 2024.
That’s also why the Vikings haven’t made a move for any of the high-profile veteran quarterbacks that have been available this offseason. From Aaron Rodgers to Kirk Cousins, Minnesota has consistently made it clear it’s good with where it’s at. Unfortunately, this stance from the Vikings hasn’t stopped the team from being linked to quarterbacks.
Just recently, in a Bleacher Report piece, Minnesota was once again connected to Kirk Cousins. Looking at a big board of players who could be traded, Cousins was ranked 10, and the Vikings were named as potential suitors along with the New Orleans Saints.
Bleacher Report still considers the Vikings as a potential suitor for Kirk Cousins
Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox acknowledges that McCarthy has been given the keys in Minnesota, but says if Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is having any second thoughts, he could reunite with Cousins.
"The Vikings have turned to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season following knee surgery. If head coach Kevin O'Connell doesn't believe McCarthy is ready to start toward the end of camp, he could consider adding a familiar face in Cousins."
Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report)
Media members are seemingly trying to will this move into existence, but unless something drastic changes, it doesn’t seem like Cousins is returning to Minnesota. Not only do the Vikings seem content with their quarterback room, the Atlanta Falcons don’t seem all that motivated to trade the veteran quarterback.
Atlanta has made it clear it’s comfortable keeping Kirk Cousins as an expensive backup. No one believed the franchise until it got late in the offseason and he was still on the Falcons roster. If he’s going to be traded, Atlanta wants a deal to be worth it. There’s no reason to believe Minnesota will be willing to pay the Falcons what they want for Kirk Cousins, especially since the Vikings haven’t indicated they want Cousins at all.
