Cousins hits 357 yards

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins was up and down in Week 11, posting 357 yards, 1 TD and 2 picks at Buffalo. He was bailed out by Justin Jefferson on several throws, including one that’s a candidate for catch of the year. We’d only put 1 INT on Cousins’ shoulder, but his decision-making (and ball placement) remained inconsistent from throw to throw. His lone score went to Jefferson, while the duo came close to hooking up for another. Through 9 games, Cousins now sits as the QB10 overall. He’ll be tested this week against Dallas — especially with LT Christian Darrisaw (concussion) looking iffy to play.

The Falcons have agreed to a four-year deal with QB Kirk Cousins, his agent announced Monday. that obviously gives Atlanta the best QB it has had since Matt Ryan left after the 2021 season. Cousins is coming off an Oct. 29 Achilles' tendon tear. We'll have to watch his progress through the summer. But the Falcons' commitment says they believe he'll be ready to lead the offense. Moving away from WR Justin Jefferson and TE T.J. Hockenson presents a challenge. But Cousins inherits arguably even more overall talent in Atlanta: WR Drake London, "TE" Kyle Pitts, and RB Bijan Robinson. As long as Cousins is physically ready, this will be an intriguing 2024 offense. London already landed among our fantasy football breakouts for 2024. Minnesota now has a big question to answer at QB, with Cousins and Baker Mayfield (who had been a potential free agent) off the market.

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio writes that he has "very credible indications" that QB Kirk Cousins is "seriously considering" a move to Atlanta to sign with the Falcons. Cousins' wife grew up near Atlanta, and the Falcons "have always been the top alternative to the Vikings for Cousins," per Florio. Cousins would be a nice fit playing indoors in new OC Zac Robinson's offense with WR Drake London, TE Kyle Pitts, and RB Bijan Robinson. Likewise, a move for Cousins would be excellent news for the fantasy value of Atlanta's key weapons. We should know who Cousins will be playing for in 2024 within the next couple of weeks.

QB Kirk Cousins posted video on Monday of him dropping back and throwing passes. He's about four months removed from his torn Achilles and has had a setback-free recovery by all accounts. "Encouraged by the progress," Cousins wrote. He and the Vikings are reportedly in talks on a contract extension ahead of March 12, when Cousins' current contract will void. Turning 36 in August and coming off a significant injury, Cousins is a bit of a wildcard heading into 2024. But he remained very effective before last year's injury, completing 69.5% of his passes and ranking fourth in Pro Football Focus passing grade.

We should know by March 12 whether QB Kirk Cousins will stay with the Vikings in 2024. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the final four years on Cousins' current contract will void that day, the last of the league year. More importantly, the resulting $28.5 million in dead cap would immediately apply to Minnesota's 2024 salary cap. The Vikings could offset that by signing Cousins to an extension before March 12 and are reportedly working on that. If the two sides don't agree by then, the veteran QB would reach the open market. We'll be interested to see not only how those talks play out, but also what Cousins gets coming off an Achilles' tear and heading into his age-36 campaign. For now, you shouldn't treat him as more than a low QB2 in best ball drafting.

A Monday MRI confirmed that Vikings QB Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles in the Week 8 win over the Packers, NFL Network reports. Cousins will miss the rest of the 2023 season. His contract is set to void in March, and Cousins will turn 36 in August, leaving his football future very uncertain. The Vikings, meanwhile, are left with QBs Jaren Hall and Sean Mannion for now. QB Nick Mullens, who at least has 655 NFL pass attempts under his belt, is eligible to come off IR next week. We'll see if Minnesota makes a move for a free-agent QB or swings a trade before tomorrow's trade deadline. Regardless, Cousins' absence is bad news for all of the team's skill-position players.