The Minnesota Vikings have made significant changes to their roster this offseason, and all of it could culminate in a trade to get Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in purple and gold again.
The four-time Pro Bowler is in Year 2 of a four-year, $180 million contract with $293.9 million in career earnings.
However, Year 1 with Atlanta ended with Cousins on the bench.
Privately, [the Falcons] have had discussions with teams — and have asked for a lot in return, per sources,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on April 21. “Atlanta has asked for any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $45 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins’ contract. To date, no [team] has been willing to do that, and no team is expected to be willing to.
“There is a feeling around the league that a team, whether it is the Vikings or Steelers, might be willing to pay down roughly $10 million.”
Cousins, who turns 37 in August, went 7-7 as the Falcons’ starter in 2024.
He started the campaign 6-3 before hitting a four-game losing streak. Cousins completed 69.2% of his passes for 2,328 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions during that nine-game opening salvo.
The Falcons benched him in favor of 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. after a win in Week 15 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
He posted a 1,180-1-9 line on 61.2% completion over his final five starts.
