NFL executives reportedly believe this about possible Vikings, Kirk Cousins reunion

Even before it was reported that the Atlanta Falcons plan to part ways with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins ahead of the start of the new league year on March 11, stories linked him with a return to the Minnesota Vikings and also with the New York Jets. 

It sounds like people within the NFL think Cousins and Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell may already have a handshake agreement worked out. 

What NFL executives are saying about Vikings, Kirk Cousins rumors

"A reunion with Minnesota seems likely due to Cousins' fit and affection for the city," NFL insider Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom reported on Tuesday. "...There is now a growing sentiment among NFL executives in the market for quarterbacks that Cousins could very well end up back with the Vikings."

Cousins featured for the Vikings from 2018 through the 2023 season, and he played well under O'Connell from September 2022 up until a torn Achilles ended the quarterback's 2023 season in October of that year. 

Meanwhile, a recent report suggested that the Vikings are worried that quarterback and 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy won't be able to stay healthy as a full-time QB1. McCarthy spent his entire rookie season recovering from a full meniscus repair, and he was then limited to just 10 starts during his second pro campaign because of multiple physical setbacks. 

Previous whispers hinted that the Vikings could become a landing spot for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. However, it now seems as if Rodgers will return to the Pittsburgh Steelers for one more season unless he rides off into the sunset of retirement.

Vikings not sold that J.J. McCarthy is a long-term QB1?

"They can say what they want publicly, but they have some serious questions about McCarthy," one unnamed general manager said about the Vikings while speaking with La Canfora. "Look, they’re signing somebody else to push [McCarthy]. And it’s not just going to be some stiff on a vet-minimum contract."

Meanwhile, a different general manager "was fairly adamant about a Cousins reunion with Minnesota." 

For a piece published on Tuesday, Vikings reporter Alec Lewis of The Athletic hinted that a veteran such as Cousins, 37, may doubt that the club is willing "to move off of McCarthy" for the 2026 season. La Canfora's update indicates that O'Connell will be willing to sit McCarthy unless the signal-caller proves that he can outperform Cousins or somebody else during an upcoming competition for the QB1 job.