As the Atlanta Falcons consider options available to them when it comes to veteran backup QB Kirk Cousins, the Minnesota Vikings remain the most obvious destination. While other teams remain in contention, the details of Cousins' high-value contract could complicate things for the Falcons moving forward, leaving Cousins holding all the cards.
While trading the four-time Pro Bowler earlier in the offseason might have seen more teams in play for the QB, the no-trade clause portion of his contract makes things harder. Cousins would have to waive the clause before the team could finalize any deal, meaning they would have to be in close communication with Cousins concerning a possible destination, something that could prove tricky.
This limits the options to teams Cousins would feel comfortable playing with. The veteran QB would presumably be less likely to want a Cleveland trade due to the rookie quarterback situation, similar to Atlanta last year after the drafting of Michael Penix. Cousins clearly has no intention of being a holdover for a younger star, and it would be highly unlikely for the Browns to offload either Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders to get Cousins.
Vikings Return Is the Most Obvious Kirk Cousins Trade Scenario
What remains is a reunion with the Minnesota Vikings, a place Cousins found success, leading them to the playoffs in 2019 and 2022 during his six-season run, where he passed for 23,265 yards on a 67.9% completion rate and 171 touchdowns. A return to the NFC North and head coach Kevin O’Connell could depend on how much faith the Vikings have in second-year QB J.J. McCarthy, who is looking to make his debut this season after missing all of 2024 following pre-season shoulder surgery.
Minnesota recently received an extra pick in the 2026 draft due to the free agent departure of Sam Darnold, giving them two third-round selections. This added pick would likely be part of the package the Vikings would need to put together to make Atlanta want to execute any deal, which could feature a package of middle-round picks over the next few drafts.
If the Falcons have any chance of offloading Cousins' contract before the season starts, a deal with Minnesota may be the only option on the table.