Dianna Russini of The Athletic kicked off the resurgence of the rumor, noting discussions about whether Atlanta would find teams interested in Cousins and suggesting Minnesota could be a fit given his history with Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell and the opportunity to provide competition for young quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter provided additional context, saying Cousins is expected to be released by Atlanta as the Falcons restructure with the plan to move on before the new league year. Schefter emphasized that Cousins would have options, including television work or retirement, and that Minnesota could be among the teams evaluating the quarterback landscape for 2026.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis added that Cousins would be open to returning to Minnesota if genuine interest and the right opportunity exist, with the Vikings needing to address their QB depth in the wake of missing the playoffs in 2025. Lewis cautioned that Cousins would explore multiple opportunities, including other teams and potential broadcasting roles.
Beyond Cousins, the broader quarterback conversation for Minnesota centers on J.J. McCarthy’s development. McCarthy posted a 72.6 passer rating with 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions over 10 games in 2025, underscoring why the Vikings are weighing their options at quarterback. Veteran voices, including Aaron Jones Sr., have stressed a continued path of growth for McCarthy as the team plans for 2026.
