Kirk Cousins tracker: Rounding up all of the reports and rumors
The Kirk Cousins rumor mill is operating fast and furious now that the beginning of free agency is the next thing on the NFL calendar. Cousins is out of contract on March 13 after six years in Minnesota and the legal tampering period beginning March 11 could yield knowledge about where he'll be playing football in 2024.
All of the rumors and reports can be hard to keep in order, so we've decided to create a running list to keep you on track. Here you go...
March 10: Interpreting the Kirk Cousins report: Vikings’ last chance
March 10: Race to sign Kirk Cousins: Vikings reportedly 'very much in this thing'
"If you're already picturing Kirk Cousins in a Falcons uniform, you might be jumping the gun," ESPN's Dan Graziano said in a notebook with colleague Jeremy Fowler. "As of the end of this week, Cousins and the Vikings were still talking and while Minnesota hasn't gotten its offer to the point Cousins wants it, I get the sense that the Vikings are still very much in this thing."
March 8: NFL insiders: Kirk Cousins expected to test the market, but don't rule out Vikings stay
"The latest is that Minnesota and Kirk Cousins have left open the window that they can get something done before Monday's negotiating period," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said on Friday's NFL Live.
March 8: ESPN's Field Yates 'would not be stunned' if Cousins gets $50M-a-year fully guaranteed
"If the Vikings can't keep Cousins from reaching free agency, the king of the quarterback contract may be about to hit another moon shot," ESPN's Field Yates wrote Friday in a Free Agency primer. "Yeah, he's coming off a torn right Achilles. Yeah, he turns 36 in August. But he was leading the league in touchdown passes and second in passing yards through Week 7 (was injured in Week 8) and is the surest thing among the free agent quarterbacks this offseason."
March 6: Cowherd: Washington 'not out of the realm of possibility' to land Kirk Cousins
"Last year, before the injury, Kirk Cousins was lighting it up," Fox Sports' Colin Cowherd said on his radio show Tuesday. "His ceiling is lower but his floor is incredibly high... Washington with the most salary cap space, they've got a lot of it, is not out of the realm of possibility."
March 5: Florio expounds on Cousins reporting, cites conversation between wives
"I got the sense - and I don't think I'm talking out of school here - I got the sense that maybe there was a little frustration that, you know, the Vikings have had a long time to try to work out a deal with Kirk," PFT's Mike Florio said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show.
March 4: Florio: 'Very credible indications' Cousins may move family to Atlanta
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio recently reported that the "indications are building of potential Kirk Cousins move to Atlanta."
March 4: Schefter: If Cousins leaves, Vikings could move up in NFL Draft
"If he goes to Atlanta I wouldn't be surprised if Minnesota tried to move up in the draft and tried to make a play up for a quarterback," said ESPN's Adam Schefter Monday on The Pat McAfee Show.
March 3: Report: Vikings could have interest in Mayfield, Fields if Cousins deal falls through
ESPN loosely ties Minnesota to two other QBs.
March 3: Report: Vikings 'have their limits' to a Kirk Cousins extension
"The sense I'm getting is Minnesota still wants Cousins to return, but Cousins has a very specific idea in mind for what he wants in a new contract and the Vikings so far have not made an offer that matches it," ESPN's Dan Graziano reported Sunday. "The ball might be in the team's court at this point. Cousins and his family like Minnesota and would be happy to stay and finish his career there, but it doesn't sound like he's willing to offer the team a hometown discount."
Kirk Cousins
Image courtesy of the Minnesota Vikings
March 2: Kevin O'Connell: Kirk Cousins has 'earned the right to be a free agent'
“I know (Cousins), where he’s at in this whole process. He’s earned the right to be a free agent and he’s played really good football,” Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell said on NFL Network. “… I know (Cousins is) going to go through a full process. He’s a process guy. And hopefully we continue to be a strong part in that process and we figure out a way to keep him a Minnesota Viking, but my expectation is we’re not going to be the only ones that would like Kirk Cousins to be the quarterback of our team in 2024.”
March 1: Athletic's Russini thinks Kirk Cousins 'winds up leaving Minnesota'
"The fact that his market is as robust as it is right now, it would be bad business from him to not see what's out there," said The Athletic's Dianna Russini on The Athletic Football Show. "I think Kirk winds up leaving Minnesota. I can't turn my back on the way he's operated in the past."
Feb. 29: 'Get it done': Atlanta reporter says Falcons owner wants Kirk Cousins
"All eyes, all arrows, everything points towards Kirk Cousins. Arthur Blank has basically told this front office, 'Do what you gotta do, pay what you gotta pay, get it done,'" Zach Klein said on the Dukes & Bell show on 92.9 The Game. "So everybody I've talked to – agents, other coaches and scouts, guys around the league – that's the feeling that they are saying, of what they are hearing, is that the Falcons will put all their attention on Kirk Cousins moving forward."
Feb. 29: Florio believes Vikings are 'confident' Cousins won't find better deal
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio doesn't sound too impressed with Kirk's free agent market and is going as far as saying the Vikings are "confident" that Cousins won't find a better deal than whatever Minnesota is offering him.
Feb. 28: Cousins negotiation 'probably' goes to deadline; Vikings GM rips 'untrue' narrative
Kwesi Adofo-Mensah not optimistic that a Cousins agreement will happen fast.
Feb. 27: Vikings coach mentions 'contingency plan' amid Kirk Cousins uncertainty
Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell wants Kirk Cousins to re-sign but knows it might not happen.
