Chuck Foreman knows what winning looks like in Minnesota. The former Vikings running back helped lead the franchise to three Super Bowl appearances in the 1970s, and his voice still carries weight when it comes to evaluating the team’s future. So when he talks quarterbacks - specifically, the idea of bringing Kirk Cousins back to the Twin Cities - it’s worth paying attention.
On a recent episode of The JimBob Sports Jam podcast, Foreman floated the idea of a Cousins reunion, and not just for nostalgia’s sake. He sees it as a strategic move - one that could benefit both the team and its young quarterback-in-waiting, J.J. McCarthy.
“I think with the weapons that we have and the maturity and experience that [Cousins] has, it would give J.J. the opportunity to sit back and watch a pro at work,” Foreman said. “Cousins is a consummate pro… he’s prepared, he sets the example, and at [37], he’s still got a couple years left.”
Foreman’s pitch makes sense when you look at the current landscape. Cousins, who left Minnesota in 2024 after six seasons to sign a $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons, might be on the move again.
Atlanta has reportedly restructured his contract in a way that could lead to his release before free agency opens this offseason. If that happens, the door swings wide open for a potential return to Minnesota.
And here’s the thing: Cousins might actually be a better fit now than he was two years ago.
Back in 2024, the Vikings were ready to pivot. They wanted to build a more balanced roster without the financial weight of a high-priced quarterback, so they let Cousins walk.
But now, with McCarthy in the fold and still developing, the calculus changes. Minnesota doesn’t necessarily need a long-term answer - they need a bridge.
And Cousins, familiar with Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system and the locker room culture, could be the perfect short-term solution.
There’s also the financial side. Cousins will turn 38 in August, and he’s not the mobile threat he once was - not that mobility was ever his calling card.
But his price tag has dropped significantly. For comparison, Russell Wilson - younger by a few months - signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Giants last offseason.
That’s nearly $20 million less than what the Vikings paid Cousins in 2023. If Minnesota could land him on a similar deal, it would be a low-risk, high-upside move that gives McCarthy time to develop without being thrown into the fire.
Of course, it’s not all up to the Vikings. Cousins has a say in this, too.
There’s a chance he might want to stay in Atlanta, especially with Falcons rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. recovering from a significant knee injury that could sideline him early in the 2026 season. That situation could give Cousins a few more starts and a smoother path to retirement without uprooting his family.
Still, the idea of Cousins returning to Minnesota - once seen as a closed chapter - suddenly feels plausible. He knows the system, he knows the city, and he’s still capable of playing efficient football. If the Vikings want a veteran presence to guide McCarthy and keep them competitive in the short term, they could do a lot worse.
Chuck Foreman sees the vision. Now it’s just a matter of whether the Vikings - and Cousins - do too.