The Minnesota Vikings have consistently faced challenges at the quarterback position, even when they’ve had strong performances from their starters in recent years.
Sam Darnold is the current dilemma, as he’s been outstanding in 2024 but will demand a hefty salary next year because of his performance. The Vikings also have rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who has missed this season due to an injury. However, there are concerns about his readiness to start and his overall potential.
Minnesota’s successful season — currently 13-2, with a chance to win the NFC North and secure the No. 1 seed and a playoff bye — only complicates matters further.
The team faced similar decisions with former starter Kirk Cousins, a three-time Pro Bowler who led the Vikings to the playoffs twice in his six seasons with the team. Cousins earned significant one-year contracts before leaving for the Atlanta Falcons this offseason on a $180 million deal.
While the move benefited the Vikings, it hasn’t worked out well for Cousins. After a strong start, he struggled in a five-game stretch, leading the Falcons to bench him for rookie Michael Penix Jr., effectively ending Cousins’ short stint in Atlanta. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Atlanta is expected to either trade or release Cousins before his $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17. Ironically, the Vikings might be able to bring Cousins back for one more season in 2025 as a temporary solution to their quarterback situation.
Kirk Cousins,
Jori Epstein from Yahoo Sports suggested the Vikings as a potential dark horse team to trade for Cousins before mid-March. She noted that interpersonal dynamics in Minnesota, particularly after head coach Kevin O’Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah moved on from Cousins, could complicate a reunion. However, the league sees the potential fit, as Darnold will likely demand a salary beyond what the Vikings are willing to pay, and McCarthy’s injury timeline creates uncertainty.
A trade could result in the Vikings taking on more salary than they’d prefer, even if Atlanta agrees to pay part of Cousins’ guaranteed future salary. However, if the Falcons are forced to cut Cousins, the Vikings could sign him for the league minimum.
This latter option seems more promising for Minnesota. Cousins, now 37 years old, could be a good fit for the Vikings, particularly with his experience under O’Connell and the team’s star players, like wide receiver Justin Jefferson. If Darnold doesn’t return, Cousins would have a legitimate chance to start for the Vikings in 2025, at least initially, especially if the team makes a deep playoff run and seeks a more experienced quarterback to lead their offense.
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