NFL Rumors: 3 teams that would beg for Kirk Cousins if Vikings move on
If the Vikings move on from Kirk Cousins with that possibility looming, these three NFL teams could be begging him to play QB for them.
As many Minnesota Vikings fans have hoped for over the past few years, it seems as if Kirk Cousins‘ time in the Twin Cities might be coming to a close.
On Wednesday, reports indicated that Vikings owner Mark Wilf wouldn’t commit to Cousins beyond the upcoming 2023 season as the veteran quarterback enters the final year of his contract in Minnesota. At 35 years old and with his track record, it’s understandable why that would be the case.
Cousins has been maligned for his shortcomings in big moments, particularly in primetime games, and an inability to completely elevate a talented roster to truly contending. At the same time, though, this is a guy who has thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns in all but the 2019 season over five years to this point with the Vikings. That’s something many NFL teams would be knocking down the door to try and sign.
And if the Vikings move on from their QB and hit the reset button there, I suspect that will in fact be the case. Specifically, these potential Kirk Cousins landing spots might be begging the quarterback to come play for their team, letting him know they would, indeed, like that.
NFL Rumors: Kirk Cousins could save Terry McLaurin and Co. on the Commanders
Shockingly enough, people don’t have a ton of confidence in a Washington Commanders offense heading into the 2023 season with either 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell or journeyman veteran Jacoby Brissett at the helm.
Maybe that actually works out. Washington has some phenomenal weapons with Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson at wide receiver and Brian Robinson Jr. at running back. Moreover, Eric Bieniemy brings his Chiefs savvy as the new Commanders offensive coordinator — even if he’s already ruffling feathers — that could work out well on the field.
I’m not holding my breath, though. With this offensive line and quarterback play, this might be one of the NFL’s worst offenses. And that, in turn, could lead to Washington needing a new quarterback for the 2024 season.
Why not a return to Kirk Cousins? Dan Snyder is gone, virtually every meaningful figure who screwed over Cousins when he was previously with the organization is gone, and the fit just makes sense.
Cousins isn’t going to make the Commanders a group of world-beaters. But to make them competent team that can work well offensively? He can surely do that. More importantly, getting that baseline of competency — something you could argue Washington has lacked at quarterback since, ironically, Cousins departed, could make the franchise more enticing for future free agents.
Again, the big hangup here would be that, if the Vikings move on from Cousins, he’ll be a free agent. Is the taste in his mouth with Washington so bad that he wouldn’t even consider a return even with the changes in regime? It’s at least possible. But on paper, the franchise could very much use Cousins on offense — and finally be willing to pay him to make that happen.