Quarterback Kirk Cousins decided to sign a four-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons and leave the Minnesota Vikings shortly after the start of the “legal tampering” period of free agency—or perhaps before, depending on who you believe. Prior to free agency, Vikings management made it clear that they wanted Cousins back; yet, a deal could not be reached. Now that we know what happened, it makes sense in light of the events that have since occurred. In his Monday Morning Quarterback essay, Albert Breer discussed the reasons for the Cousins’ decision to depart Minnesota after six seasons in purple. He made the decision to depart Minnesota, in part because the 35-year-old was informed by the Vikings up front that they might select a quarterback of the future early in the draft even if he chose to stay. Combining that with the team’s willingness to promise a portion of a second year on a new contract, but not all of it, Cousins calculated that there was a fair chance he would be moving in 2025 if he stayed. I am aware that Cousins was happy with the Vikings’ candour in their draft approach, even though it required his departure. It turns out that the front staff was telling the truth when they stated they wanted Cousins back in 2024 and beyond, but it’s clear today that Cousins wasn’t happy about the thought of the Vikings selecting a high first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft to select his replacement. After Cousins made the decision to move to Atlanta, the Falcons swiftly made the decision to select Michael Penix Jr., the successor to Cousins, with a high first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft, at #8 overall. J.J. McCarthy of Michigan would be selected by the Vikings two picks later. According to Breer, the Vikings told Cousins the truth about their intentions, and that candour has altered the direction of their team. It is to be hoped that McCarthy will eventually live up to the expectations of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell, leading the Vikings to heights not seen since the Cousins period.
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