The Atlanta Falcons' decision in March 2024 to sign Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal is looking rough in hindsight - especially considering the Falcons proceeded to draft Michael Penix Jr.

Vikings fans hoping for a splashy Kirk Cousins reunion may want to temper expectations. After a rough cameo with Atlanta and chatter that Minnesota is the only logical landing spot, the Falcons have not shown interest in moving him, and any deal would collide with each team’s need for a reliable veteran behind its starter.

Now is not the time for anyone in Vikings Nation to be thinking about Kirk Cousins riding back to Minnesota on a white horse to save the season.

Kirk Cousins struggled in his first start of the season for the Atlanta Falcons. The 37-year-old quarterback got the nod in place of the injured Michael Penix Jr.

ESPN's Seth Walder discussed players each team could target ahead of next week's trade deadline. For the Vikings, it was a name that refuses to leave the tongues of analysts and fans alike: Kirk Cousins. He mentions Cousins as someone who just makes too much sense to ignore his potential return to Minnesota as the deadline looms.

The NFL's 2025 trade deadline is now less than a week away. At 4 p.m. ET next Tuesday, the deadline will pass, and after that, teams will have to wait until the offseason to make deals.

NFL trade deadline day is about to get wild. The likes of Jaylen Waddle, Breece Hall, Trey Hendrickson, Kirk Cousins, Calvin Ridley and more will discover their fate.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones sent mixed messages about his deadline plans. Dre’Mont Jones to the Ravens: The Titans agreed to trade the edge rusher for a conditional fifth-round pick.Jaelan Phillips to the Eagles: The Dolphins agreed to trade Phillips for a 2026 third-round pick.