Insider names three teams to watch in Kirk Cousins sweepstakes

It would be surprising if the Vikings didn't do everything they could do bring back Cousins, who's spent the past six seasons with the team. 

However, there is a realistic scenario in which Minnesota is unable to do so since it is also preparing to pay All-Pro wide receiver Justin Jefferson a likely market-resetting deal while holding just $34.75 million in cap space, per Over The Cap.

If that's the case, the Falcons make sense as the next likely team to land Cousins. Atlanta has about $37.65 million in cap space, but all of its young playmakers (RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts) are still playing on their rookie deals.

That gives the Falcons the luxury of being able to go out and obtain one of free agency's top quarterbacks, and that could certainly turn out to be Cousins.

The Commanders, on the other hand, were the surprise name on Schefter's short list of teams that could land Cousins, who began his NFL career in Washington as a fourth-round pick in 2012.

The Commanders need a quarterback, but they currently own the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Schefter believes that could change, however.

"I think Washington's gonna be open to anything, including moving back in the draft," Schefter added. "So, there's gonna be a team that doesn't get Kirk Cousins."

If Washington is interested in moving back in the draft, adding Cousins makes a lot of sense if he is interested in a reunion.

Cousins revealed in February that he hopes to play at least a couple more years to hit the "15-year threshold." What better place to finish his career than where he started it.