As the NFL offseason heats up, one of the biggest dominoes yet to fall is Kirk Cousins - and the Atlanta Falcons aren’t the only ones watching closely.
Cousins stepped in late last season for the Falcons after Michael Penix Jr. went down with an ACL injury, and while the games didn’t carry playoff implications, the veteran quarterback made the most of his opportunity. He led Atlanta to four straight wins to close out the year, showing poise, command, and the kind of steady quarterback play that’s always in demand - especially in a league where stability under center can be hard to come by.
Now, as free agency looms, a couple of potential landing spots are beginning to take shape - and each comes with its own set of complications.
Miami Dolphins: A Fit or a Flier?
The Miami Dolphins are one of the more intriguing teams to watch in the Cousins conversation. They benched Tua Tagovailoa late last season, and while nothing is official, there’s a growing sense that the team could be preparing to move on. That opens the door for a veteran like Cousins, who could step into a ready-made offense with weapons galore.
But there’s a catch - and it’s a big one.
Miami’s roster is in a bit of a reset, especially on the defensive side of the ball. With new head coach Mike Macdonald in place, the Dolphins may be leaning into a model that emphasizes building a dominant defense first and then cycling through affordable, mid-tier quarterbacks until they find one that sticks. Think Seattle Seahawks during Macdonald’s time in the NFC West.
That approach would make Cousins - who’s likely to command a significant payday - a tough fit financially. Miami needs to hold onto its draft picks and load up on rookie-contract players to fill out the depth chart. Trading assets or committing big money to a veteran QB might not align with the long-term vision.
So while the idea of Cousins in teal and orange is fun to imagine, the Dolphins may ultimately decide to go younger and cheaper at the position.
Back to Minnesota?
Then there’s Minnesota - the team Cousins knows best and the one where he’s already proven he can thrive.
The Vikings are coming off a tough season in which JJ McCarthy, their young quarterback, struggled mightily. It was essentially a rookie campaign for McCarthy, and the growing pains were obvious. That’s where Cousins comes back into the picture.
He knows the system. He knows head coach Kevin O’Connell. And he knows how to win games in that environment.
But O’Connell is a coach who believes deeply in quarterback development. He’s earned a reputation as a QB-friendly mind - someone who can mold young talent and maximize potential. That might make him hesitant to bring Cousins back, especially if it means stunting McCarthy’s growth or delaying the team’s long-term plan.
At the same time, the Vikings aren’t exactly overflowing with quarterback options. If McCarthy isn’t ready - or if the front office isn’t confident he’ll take a big step forward - then Cousins could be the best short-term answer, even if he’s not part of the long-term blueprint.
What’s Next?
Cousins’ next move will say a lot about where he sees himself at this stage of his career. Does he want to chase a ring with a team like Miami, even if it means being a stopgap? Or does he return to Minnesota, where he’s comfortable and could help stabilize a team in transition?
Either way, his value is clear. He’s a proven starter who can win games, elevate an offense, and bring calm to the chaos - and in today’s NFL, that’s a rare commodity.
For the Falcons, his late-season run was a pleasant surprise. For the rest of the league, it was a reminder that Kirk Cousins still has something left in the tank. Now, it’s just a matter of who’s ready to bet on him.