Kirk Cousins Rumors Return as Vikings Lose Faith in Sam Howell

The defense has mostly gotten the better of the offense in the first couple of training camp weeks, which is why multiple defenders are the camp winners so far. On offense, some players have struggled. Backup quarterback Sam Howell is seemingly tossing a pass to a defender every day, resulting in some trade chatter.

Old Friend Resurfaced in the Vikings’ Rumor Mill

J.J. McCarthy is still unproven. He’s the starter for the Vikings without any doubt, but having a decent replacement wouldn’t be the worst idea when the QB1 is coming off a season-ending knee injury and has never thrown a pass in an NFL game, especially with a roster like the Vikings’.

Howell hasn’t been that guy. Perhaps a familiar face could be. The man’s name, you probably guessed it, is Kirk Cousins, who the Atlanta Falcons have not gotten rid of this offseason despite opting to go with Michael Penix Jr. into the upcoming season, and the veteran has a lucrative contract they would like to get off the payroll.

Because of Howell’s struggles, Mr. Cousins has resurfaced in Minnesota’s rumor mill after disappearing for a couple of months. His return to the Twin Cities was a hot topic in April, prior to Howell’s arrival.

But we’re back. Ben Goessling of the Star Tribune said on the Access Vikings podcast:

“I think there is going to continue to be a hunt for an option there. We saw them do that three years ago with Nick Mullens, making the trade for him during the preseason, he ends up becoming the No. 2 quarterback for the next three years. If they found something they liked that worked in a trade, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to make something happen. I don’t think that is a settled issue by any means, at this point.”

Indeed, Nick Mullens joined in the preseason, when Kevin O’Connell wasn’t satisfied with Sean Mannion and Kellen Mond. He was never the greatest signal-caller, but he was a gutsy player who, when the Vikings needed him, kept the offense going. Last year, he threw two passes, and both were completed and notched first downs.

Goessling then talked about the reunion with the four-time Pro Bowler: “I don’t think it’s impossible. There’s still a good relationship there. I would put it that way. There’s still a very good relationship between Kirk Cousins and Kevin O’Connell. They are still friends, they are still, I think, in contact at times, in whatever line you have to walk with tampering.”

Cousins was on pace to shred his career-best numbers in the 2023 campaign when his Achilles ruptured. It was the last time we’ve seen him in purple. Last year, Cousins took a couple of weeks to get into a groove, but then he was sharp for a few weeks. In the second half of the season, he turned into a turnover machine and was ultimately benched for Penix Jr.

The Falcons gave him a four-year deal worth $180 million and then turned around to draft his successor with the eighth overall pick. Nobody is pleased with that arrangement.