The previous occasion many Vikings fans witnessed quarterback Kirk Cousins in action was when he was bare-chested, attempting to motivate them before a crucial home game against the Packers. Unfortunately, Cousins, who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in a midseason victory at Lambeau Field, proved to be more adept as a quarterback than a cheerleader. The Vikings were decisively defeated by the Packers, concluding the season on a limp note. In contrast, the Packers surged to the finish and are among the eight teams (two in the NFC North) still in contention this season.
As a free agent in March, Cousins’ future with the Vikings is uncertain. Following the season’s conclusion, Cousins hinted at the possibility of a reunion with the Vikings, expressing a desire to win and emphasizing the importance of structure in a potential new deal. However, recent developments suggest that Cousins, despite leaning towards re-signing, remains an impending free agent with potential interests beyond the Vikings’ purple uniform.
During the early stages of the 2023 season, when the Vikings struggled with a 1-4 start despite Cousins’ health, there were discussions about Atlanta as a possible trade destination for Cousins. The Falcons, with talent but lacking an established quarterback, seemed like a logical fit. Although Cousins had a no-trade clause, his connection to the Atlanta area—where his wife grew up and where they were married—added plausibility to the speculation.
Recent developments have fueled the notion that Atlanta could be a viable free agent destination for Cousins. Firstly, the Falcons interviewed Bill Belichick for the head coach position, with a second interview reportedly scheduled over the weekend. If Belichick joins Atlanta, it stands to reason that the 71-year-old coach would prefer to win quickly with an established quarterback rather than undergo a rebuild. While Cousins may not be Tom Brady, he is not a young quarterback like Mac Jones, who struggled towards the end of Belichick’s tenure in New England.
I talked to Kirk Cousins this week and he shared his thoughts on Bill Belichick:
“… you know he is usually going to break the mold and do something different, and that's probably what has made him a great coach."
I asked Cousins if he would ever play for Belichick… pic.twitter.com/HRNBpfHEKn
— Isabel Gonzalez (@cisabelg) January 18, 2024
In an interview with a CBS Sports reporter this week, Cousins provided additional insights, further adding intrigue to the ongoing speculation about his future in free agency.
She inquired about his opinions on Belichick and then posed another question: “If given the chance, would you consider playing for him?”
Cousins provided an intriguing response, stating, “I wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to play under a future Hall of Fame coach. However, we’ll need to see where March takes us. There’s a considerable amount of uncertainty at the moment.”
While his reply could be seen as a standard answer, Cousins could have simply said, “We’ll have to see where March leads. There’s just a lot of unknowns right now.”
In any case, this serves as a reminder that this offseason will be unique. Cousins is a genuine free agent, and every piece of information until he officially signs with a team will be scrutinized as a potential clue to his decision.
Here are four additional things to be aware of today:
1. Chip Scoggins joined Friday’s podcast to discuss his compelling Chloe Johnson feature and an upcoming piece on Sunday.
2. The Timberwolves have the ability to dominate against weaker teams, evident in their Thursday victory over Memphis, bringing their record to 30-11 and putting them on track for 60 wins.
3. The Wild’s season is in jeopardy following a 7-3 loss to Tampa Bay and the news of Jared Spurgeon being out for the season. While a trade deadline sell-off is a consideration, the contract structures by GM Bill Guerin pose challenges.
4. Tuesday marks the day we’ll learn if Joe Mauer has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. With 84% of the vote on known ballots so far (75% being the required threshold), his fate hangs in the balance.
Leave a Reply