Kirk Cousins.
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Kirk Cousins news is at a fever pitch heading into free agency, and now, the former Vikings quarterback is being linked to a losing franchise.
The Minnesota Vikings and quarterback Kirk Cousins had a solid run together from 2018 to 2023, and there’s really no bad blood between these two. Now, Cousins is expected to be a free agent ahead of the 2026-27 NFL season, and he’ll be one of the few true veteran talents available to franchises who need a quick fix in their lineup.
During his last year with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins clocked 1,721 passing yards, 10 passing touchdowns and 5 interceptions with a 61.7% completion rate and an 84.8 passer rating, according to research from ESPN, over 10 games. Those are solid numbers, so even though Cousins is getting up there in age for a player the NFL at 37, he obviously still have juice left in him.
Atlanta signed Cousins in a four-year, $180 million contract, according to Spotrac research. The quarterback was originally drafted by the Washington Redskins, now the Commanders, in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft as the 102nd overall pick out of Michigan State University.
So, the NFL’s free agency period opens on Wednesday, March 11, and that’s when teams will be able to officially make moves and sign players such as Cousins. Now, the former Minnesota Vikings player is being linked to a franchise that needs help.
Former Minnesota Vikings Kirk Cousins Projected to End Up With NFL Team That Needs a Turnaround
On Friday, March 7, the Las Vegas Raiders made moves by releasing their quarterback Geno Smith after one year with the franchise. The Raiders have the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft, and it’s a given that they’ll sign Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza to eventually serve as their franchise quarterback. But, Mendoza may not be ready to step on the field in September.
“If the Raiders continue to lean toward drafting Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, their preference is to not start him immediately,” Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Friday. “Look for Las Vegas to bring a veteran QB in free agency.”
One name that is popping up is Kirk Cousins. Ted Nguyen from The Athletic proposed, “Kirk Cousins would be a good mentor and nerd out partner for Mendoza.”
Cousins helping and mentoring Mendoza makes sense. They’re both family men, and they both have Midwest values and roots. But, they would also have their work cut out for them with the Raiders. The team ended the 2025-26 season with a 3-14 record, according to NFL research, and just traded away its star edge in Maxx Crosby to the Ravens.
Kirk Cousins News: Quarterback Wants One Thing With His New Team in the NFL, Analyst Says
In a Wednesday, March 4, feature in Essentially Sports, via Yahoo News, Luke Hubbard predicts where the upcoming NFL free agents will land, including Cousins. He says that Cousins wants to be a starter again with a team.
“Cousins wants to be a starter again, and he wants to play for a team that’s ready to make a run at the Super Bowl in the next few years,” Hubbard states in the piece. “The Vikings are the only team that really fits that bill. Maybe Pittsburgh, but with Rodgers likely returning, that doesn’t seem like a likely landing spot for Cousins.”