Kirk Cousins, former Vikings quarterback now with the Atlanta Falcons, has fond memories of playing in Minnesota, and so does his wife.
On Kirk Cousins’ Instagram recently, he posted a photo of himself and his wife Julie, in casual clothes at US Bank Stadium. Cousins is in a black hoodie and sweatpants, while Julie is wearing a black denim dress.
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) warms up on the field prior to the game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
“Lots of memories,” Cousins wrote in the post caption.
The Atlanta Falcons added veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency on March 17, 2024, signing him to a four-year, $180 million contract that included $100 million in guarantees. Cousins departed the Minnesota Vikings after three Pro Bowl seasons under center and inked the richest deal of his career in Atlanta.
Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot noted Cousins’s experience and leadership, complementing the youth of the offensive weapons with Cousins’s veteran presence. Cousins was eventually benched in late last season and Michale Penix Jr. was the opening day quarterback in 2025.
Kirk Cousins Trade Rumors: Recent JJ McCarthy Injury May Give Hint For Potential Offers
A new trade idea surrounding Kirk Cousins recently floated, as the Minnesota Vikings received a significant blow on Monday when second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy was ruled out for up to four weeks with a high ankle sprain sustained in practice.
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) prepares for a game against the New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season due to injury, joins a growing sideline list that includes running back Aaron Jones and linemen Ryan Kelly and Justin Skule. The string of setbacks has left Minnesota thin at key positions as it heads into Week 3 preparation.
With McCarthy’s availability in doubt and his performance uneven in relief duty, many Vikings observers have begun to wonder whether Minnesota’s front office misstepped by not securing a veteran signal-caller this offseason. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio even suggested fans might rue bypassing options like Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers—and, most pointedly, trading back for Kirk Cousins.
Unlike those other targets, Cousins remains technically within reach. Under NFL rules, the Vikings hold the right to reclaim their former starter from Atlanta through the Tuesday after Week 9. Bringing Cousins back would reunite Minnesota with a proven playmaker familiar with coordinator Kevin O’Connell’s system and could offer a stabilizing force if McCarthy’s return fails to revive the offense.
Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) talks to Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) and quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Kirk Cousins opened the 2025-2026 regular seasons as a backup quarterback for Michael Penix Jr., following Cousins’ late-season benching last year.
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