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NFL Insider Named Vikings as Potential Trade Partner For Former Starter

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Anthony Miller | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 9:51 AM ET

The Vikings are in the market to add a third and final quarterback, but they must decide how to fill that void.

This offseason, Minnesota lost Sam Darnold to the Seattle Seahawks and Daniel Jones to the Indianapolis Colts. That leaves J.J. McCarthy as the projected starter and Brett Rypien as the backup.

Minnesota has been tied to Aaron Rodgers' conversations with the team, essentially passing on him for now. There are other options in free agency, like Carson Wentz, to sign, but it has been reported that the team could bring in their third quarterback after the draft.

There is one other familiar name that the Vikings have been tied to trade for and add him as a backup to McCarthy.

ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter shared details on intel he’s hearing before the 2025 NFL Draft. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has been a topic of discussion as to whether another NFL team would take on his large contract in a trade. While Atlanta has been unsuccessful at finding a team that will pay $20 million of his $45 million guaranteed money, Schefter shared how the Vikings could be in the mix for Cousins.

“There is a feeling around the league that a team, whether it is the Vikings or Steelers, might be willing to pay down roughly $10 million. How much any team would be willing to pay also would influence the compensation it gives up. The higher the payment, the lower the draft compensation; the lower the payment, the higher the draft compensation. The Falcons and Cousins, who has a no-trade clause, recognize their future is not together, and how it will play out could very well be influenced by this draft.”

Cousins was a six-year starter in Minnesota. He made three Pro Bowls and had three seasons with a winning record. Three times as the starter, he threw for 30 or more touchdowns in one year, and in four seasons, he threw for over 4,000 yards in a year.

McCarthy has been labeled the starter entering the 2025 season after missing his rookie season with a torn meniscus last year. Adding Cousins gives the Vikings a more reliable backup who knows Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell’s system and could fill in if needed.

The financial part of Cousins’ contract could make or break a potential trade with the Falcons, but it is a conversation worth exploring.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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