Kirk Cousins is unhappy in his current situation.
While the four-time Pro Bowl quarterback has a job with the Atlanta Falcons, he's fed up with being the No. 2 guy at the position. He's done being a backup -- or at least he wants to be.
Earlier this week, Cousins requested a trade from the Falcons before the Nov. 4 trade deadline, and he wants to be sent to an organization where he'd be the No. 1 guy. It's unclear what that organization is, but it looks like his options may be limited.
Looking through the teams that currently need a quarterback, one really stands out: the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins spent six years with Minnesota and had four 4,000-yard seasons and threw for 30-plus touchdowns three times -- he had a fourth season with 29 touchdown passes.
So when Cousins' name appears in trade talks, Minnesota makes sense.
Kirk Cousins desires an opportunity to start elsewhere
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 28, 2025
(Via @usatoday) pic.twitter.com/vdyiQFFXOv
The Vikings have had nothing but quarterback issues this season after parting ways with Sam Darnold in the offseason. Former Michigan star JJ McCarthy was supposed to take the reins, but he has struggled to stay healthy and he looked a little shaky in his starts early in the season. Carson Wentz has also shown that he's not the right guy for the job.
Minnesota could opt to go back with a familiar face at quarterback for a season or two, mentoring McCarthy along the way, before he retires.
Cousins is 37 years old and is clearly on the back-nine of his career (more like the 18th hole, in golf terms), but he can still sling it. While he was just 21-for-21 with 173 yards in a 34-10 losing effort to Miami last Sunday, he still feels like he can be a QB1 in this league.
McCarthy needs a little guidance still and Cousins is looking for a new (potentially old) home. This could be a good fit for both sides -- and surely MSU and Michigan fans would take the news well.