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In case you haven’t heard, the Minnesota Vikings are still without a backup quarterback for 2025. As of now, the widely held expectation for the Vikings’ at QB1 next season is 2024 No. 10 overall draft pick, JJ McCarthy.
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Aaron Rodgers is still lingering out on the free agent market. But unless something goes wrong with their redshirt 1st round pick, it appears the JJ McCarthy era will begin this fall. So, the MN Vikings remain on the hunt for their next QB2. And more than likely, that hunt will continue until 3 p.m. CDT on April 28, at the earliest.
Not only will the NFL Draft be over by then, but that is also moment in time where free agent signings no longer affect the 2026 comp pick formula. According to Ben Goessling (Star Tribune), the Minnesota Vikings — who have one 2025 comp pick, after losing Kirk Cousins to free agency last offseason — are holding out hope for THREE comp picks next year.
Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
But that wasn’t the only interesting tidbit that Goessling had in the Star Tribune Vikings Access newsletter this afternoon. Directly underneath his 2026 comp pick scoop, was a head-turning note on the likelihood of Kirk Cousins returning to Minnesota in 2025.
Kirk Cousins + Minnesota Vikings reunion still possible
While Ben goes on to caution that a Cousins reunion in Minnesota “could be a long shot”, there was enough chatter down at the NFL Owners Meetings in Florida this week to convince the longtime Vikings insider that there is mutual interest between Kirk and his former team, should the stars align.
They could also pursue a trade for a veteran backup: possibly even Kirk Cousins, who lost his starting job with the Falcons and is believed to want out of Atlanta after just one season there. Falcons coach Raheem Morris said this week he doesn’t expect Cousins to participate in the team’s offseason program, and while the quarterback would have to waive his no-trade clause, a source familiar with his thinking said earlier this month he might be interested in a return to the Vikings.
Ben Goessling – Vikings Access Newsletter
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What would that star alignment look like? According to Goessling, it would mean Kirk Cousins accepting the role of backup quarterback, behind JJ McCarthy, something he has not been willing to swallow own in Atlanta, behind Michael Penix Jr.
Related: Former Vikings Emergency QB1 Quietly Signs with Rival
But don’t count it out, Ben writes. What could make the difference for Cousins is his incredible relationship with Kevin O’Connell and his comfortability in the Minnesota Vikings organization. Those things, combined with how desperate he is to escape the Falcons, mean “a [Kirk Cousins] return to the Vikings isn’t out of the question”.
It could be a long shot: The Vikings would have to work out a trade, and Cousins would have to accept a backup role just a year after he left Minnesota because of the Vikings’ plans to draft a first-round QB (only to be surprised by the Falcons’ selection of Michael Penix Jr.). But given Cousins’ familiarity with the offense and his continuing friendship with O’Connell, a return to the Vikings isn’t out of the question.
Ben Goessling – Vikings Access Newsletter
The Falcons went 7-7 with Cousins under center last season, before benching him, in favor of Penix. As a Falcon, Kirk completed 66.9% of his passes, which is the exact same as his career average.
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Outside of 2023, when he only played 8 games before tearing his achilles, Cousins’ 3,508 passing yards and 18 touchdowns last season were the lowest totals of his career, since 2015. That was the last season before he became the full-time starter in Washington. Oh, and he led the league in interceptions, with 12.
What would Kirk Cousins back to the Vikings mean for JJ McCarthy?
Kirk Cousins’ performance last season in Atlanta is not what makes me wonder about these reunion rumors. He was dropped into an incredibly awkward situation, in a new offense, fresh off rupturing his achilles tendon. Instead, I more so question what Cousins as a backup would look like.
Related: Rival Execs Continue to Question Minnesota Vikings Power Structure
I don’t worry about JJ McCarthy’s makeup, but battling with an extra-motivated talented QB who has previously mastered KOC’s offense would be by far the most difficult training camp (non) quarterback competition that the Minnesota Vikings could possibly inject him into. Would that be what’s best for his development? Maybe we will find out…