Kirk Cousins Addresses the Trade Possibility
In the 2024 offseason, long-time Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins made the decision to leave the organization after six campaigns of captaining the ship. He was headed to Atlanta to take over for their strange QB mix of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.
Kirk Cousins Addresses Trade Rumors
Through one season and four games, it’s fair to say that he didn’t make the best choice from a football perspective, considering the Falcons quickly drafted Michael Penix Jr. and then inserted the rookie into the starting lineup 14 games into Cousins’ Falcons tenure.
Since that time, Cousins has been sitting on the bench, aside from some playing time against the Carolina Panthers, when the Falcons seemingly benched the overwhelmed Penix. The $180 million paycheck eases the pain, though.
With quarterback injuries mounting up in the NFL, Cousins could surely start somewhere in the NFL, and the passer was asked about the possibility of a trade and about his approach: “Right now, it’s just about the role I’m in, and focused in on helping us win football games and being ready for the next challenges we face. I’ll stay sharp, and you never know what the league will bring.”
Of course, the experienced veteran wouldn’t just openly answer the question in any controversial way, but the final sentence indicates that he secretly hopes to be part of a deal.
“For right now, I think you focus on the task at hand, being one play away and being ready, also being a great support to the guys that are starting,” Cousins added.
All reports throughout the offseason and in the few weeks of the regular season suggest that Cousins has taken on the mentorship role rather than acting like a disgruntled teammate, but anything else would’ve been a surprise for anyone who has followed the QB in his career.
Either way, he could be an upgrade over the ex-Vikings (practice squad) signal-caller Jake Browning in Cincinnati. The Bengals lost their last two contests (including a blowout against the Vikings) with a combined 76-13 margin, and Browning hasn’t looked nearly as competent as he did in 2023. The AFC franchise needs a spark.
A deal is still unlikely because the Falcons enjoy his presence as insurance for Penix, according to ESPN’s Dan Graziano.
“Cousins’ situation in Atlanta, as the veteran backup behind Michael Penix Jr., is one we’ve frequently discussed. He could get dealt, but Atlanta is not desperate to deal him and is still asking for a relatively high price. The Falcons believe he has value as a reliable backup in case something should happen to Penix.”
The Falcons would need someone willing to pay the price in draft capital and salary cap to take on the four-time Pro Bowler, who certainly didn’t play like a Pro Bowler prior to being benched.
Graziano added, “And having been on the sideline for Sunday’s game against Washington, I can tell you Cousins is one of the prominent voices in Penix’s ear between possessions. He’s been helpful in Penix’s development and, along with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and quarterbacks coach D.J. Williams, is a helpful extra set of eyes and ears that benefits Penix.”
It remains a tricky situation for Cousins.
The Vikings were part of the Cousins rumor mill in the past offseason, as they took some time to find a new backup in Sam Howell and ultimately decided that he wasn’t good enough for the job. Currently, Carson Wentz is the QB2 in the Twin Cities.
Through two games, he has been a solid backup, but nothing more. Yet, he has not been alarmingly insufficient to push the Vikings towards their former QB.
Cousins remains third in passing yards and second in passing touchdowns in Vikings franchise history, and unless Daunte Culpepper is suddenly taking snaps, that won’t change in the near future.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.