Kirk Cousins’ New Deal Makes Return to Vikings More Plausible

It has now been two seasons since Kirk Cousins was the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings. Rather than stay working with Kevin O’Connell, the veteran continued his run to the bag chasing hall of fame and took a payday with the Atlanta Falcons who then turned around and immediately drafted his replacement, in Michael Penix Jr.

But Cousins got back on the field this year, after Penix hurt himself and was shelved for the season. Presumably, Kirk will be relegated to the bench again next season when the third year first round pick returns.

Falcons have looming Kirk Cousins decision

The problem Atlanta is still carrying a gaudy contract for Cousins, which has made moving him awfully difficult. So on Tuesday, sides reworked his deal to provide a path forward.

The Falcons and Kirk Cousins agreed to modify the final two years of the quarterback’s contract, setting the stage for a decision on his Atlanta future to be made by the third day of the 2026 NFL league year on March 13, a source told ESPN.

As part of the restructure, there is now a guarantee in the amount of $67.9 million for the 2027 season that vests March 13. Given the high unlikelihood that the Falcons or any team that would acquire Cousins via a trade before March 13 would want to be on the hook for that $67.9 million, a decision on Cousins’ future could come before that date.

The restructure also included reducing his 2026 base salary from a non-guaranteed $35 million to just $2.1 million, a difference of $32.9 million. That amount equals the increase in his 2027 compensation that this amended deal includes, just split differently. The restructure does not impact any guaranteed money already owed to Cousins.

ESPN

When Kirk Cousins left the MN Vikings it was because the Atlanta Falcons broke the bank to the tune of a four-year, $180 million contract. They certainly haven’t gotten that value out of the deal, and ESPN’s Field Yates is reporting they have now restructured the agreement.

As Yates outlines, neither Falcons or anyone else wants to be on the hook for nearly $70 million paid to Kirk Cousins. That reality makes it more than likely that Cousins’ time in Atlanta is done. He can then hit the open market and look to latch on somewhere else in a starting capacity once again.

In two seasons with the Falcons, Cousins played 24 games and completed 65% of his passes. He threw for 5,229 yards with 28 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. It’s hardly Pro Bowl caliber play, but he was also surrounded by lackluster weapons.

What a pass and what a feeling for Kirk Cousins

ATLvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/XPrUVN67dI

— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2025

In eight starts for the Falcons this season, Cousins went 5-3 with a 10/5 TD/INT ratio. He completed just 61.7% of his passes, but had Atlanta positioned to make the playoffs.

At 37 years old, Cousins is getting to the end of his career, but there’s still juice left in the tank. We saw how many quarterback-needy teams there were this season. The MN Vikings are among them.

A Cousins return to MN Vikings seems logical

It’s always been clear that Kirk Cousins had a strong relationship with Kevin O’Connell and the Minnesota Vikings. Had he not been presented such a massive payday by Atlanta, it’s possible he stuck around as a mentor for J.J. McCarthy.

In something of a full-circle moment, the path could now lead him back to do just that. Cousins would likely be in line for a one-year deal. He might be a preferable option to Aaron Rodgers in that capacity, and McCarthy could learn behind him.

The Vikings certainly aren’t looking to make the same mistakes at quarterback next season. Dancing with a familiar partner could help alleviate those concerns.