The Minnesota Vikings are heading into a pivotal offseason, and the priority couldn’t be clearer: solidify the quarterback room. After a 2025 season that left more questions than answers, especially under center, the front office is focused on finding stability-something they sorely lacked once J.J. McCarthy went down.
McCarthy, the team’s first-round pick, showed glimpses of why the Vikings invested in him. He closed out the season with five touchdown passes over his final four games, flashing poise and progress in a system that demands both.
But the problem wasn’t his talent-it was his availability. A string of health issues sidelined him for seven games, and that absence exposed a critical flaw in Minnesota’s depth chart.
When McCarthy was out, the offense fell into the hands of undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. It didn’t go well.
Brosmer struggled to keep the offense on track, and the Vikings stumbled through a stretch of frustrating losses that ultimately derailed their playoff hopes. It was a harsh reminder: in today’s NFL, you need more than just a promising young quarterback-you need insurance.
That’s why Minnesota is expected to pursue a veteran signal-caller this March, someone who can both mentor McCarthy and step in if needed. And one name stands out above the rest: Kirk Cousins.
Yes, that Kirk Cousins.
Currently with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins’ future is suddenly up in the air thanks to a major restructuring of his contract. The Falcons and Cousins agreed to rework the final two years of his deal, slashing his 2026 salary and pushing a massive $32.9 million into his 2027 base. If Atlanta keeps him on the roster past March 13, they’ll be staring down a $67.9 million price tag for 2027-a number that’s hard to justify for a 37-year-old quarterback.
That’s led to widespread speculation that the Falcons will move on before the new league year kicks off, which would make Cousins a free agent once again. And if that happens, Minnesota could be an ideal landing spot.
The ties are already there. Cousins knows the Vikings, and more importantly, he knows head coach Kevin O’Connell. The familiarity with O’Connell’s system would make for a smoother transition, and the presence of Kevin Stefanski-Cousins’ former offensive coordinator in Minnesota and now Atlanta’s head coach-only strengthens the connection between player and team.
For the Vikings, bringing Cousins back wouldn’t just be about nostalgia. It’s about practicality.
They need a steady, experienced presence behind-or even alongside-McCarthy. Someone who can manage the offense if the young QB isn’t ready or healthy.
Cousins fits that mold perfectly: a four-time Pro Bowler who’s proven he can run this offense and win games.
As the March 13 deadline looms, the ball is in Atlanta’s court. But if Cousins hits the open market, don’t be surprised if Minnesota makes a strong push. The need is real, the fit is obvious, and the stakes couldn’t be higher for a franchise looking to turn the page and finally find consistency at the game’s most important position.