Over the weekend, Falcons fans were made aware that a return to Minnesota for Kirk Cousins was very much in the cards, and a contract extension before free agency was a possibility.
Well, as Sunday rolled on, it seemed less likely. Yesterday evening, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Cousins is expected to test the open market.
The #Vikings and Kirk Cousins remain in communication, but it appears the four-time Pro Bowl QB will test the free-agent market, which opens at noon ET on Monday. @NFLTotalAccess @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/qwGM49Cier
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2024
“The Vikings and Kirk Cousins’ agent remain in communication, but at this point, it does appear that the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is going to hit the free agent market on Monday,” Pelissero said. “Other teams I would expect to pursue Cousins do include the Atlanta Falcons and quite possibly the Denver Broncos as well.”
It was reported that Kirk Cousins was the Falcons’ top quarterback solution, and the need to acquire him grew when news broke yesterday that the Buccaneers were re-signing Baker Mayfield.
We aren’t completely aware of Atlanta’s other preferences, but it was speculated that Terry Fontenot would turn his attention to the former No. 1 overall pick if he lost out on Cousins. Now, it seems like it’s Cousins or…?
Maybe Justin Fields, maybe a stopgap like Jacoby Brissett or Joe Flacco and drafting J.J. McCarthy? Honestly, it seems like it’s Kirk Cousins or bust for the Falcons at this point, so it’s great news that Pelissero expects him to test the free agent market.
The holdup with the Vikings is the contract. Cousins seemingly wants guarantees that Minnesota is reluctant to give him after handing over a couple of fully guaranteed deals. For Atlanta, who might be a little more desperate than Minnesota, they might not hesitate at giving the veteran a fully guaranteed deal.
We should know a lot more in the coming hours.
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Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire
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