Ex-Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Facing Career Crossroads With Falcons
Former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins‘ final chance with the Atlanta Falcons is here — but it likely matters little for Atlanta long-term.
Cousins, 37, has a potential out in his contract that will make moving on from him easier for Atlanta to stomach after they signed him to a four-year, $190 million contract in 2024.
The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback started hot with a 6-3 record in his first nine starts before suffering a shoulder and elbow injury. He hasn’t looked the same since.
Atlanta lost four straight before benching Cousins for Michael Penix Jr., accelerating their development of the 2024 first-round pick.
Pivoting to Penix hasn’t gone particularly well for the Falcons, who are 4-8 with Penix under center.
Last week, Penix suffered what could prove to be a season-ending left knee injury. He was placed on injured reserve, requiring him to sit out at least the next four games.
ESPN’s Raimondi detailed the implications of what could be Cousins’ final audition in the NFL.
Ex-Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Facing Career-Defining Audition With Falcons
After Penix took over late last season, Cousins was expected to be traded or released in the spring.
However, after investing $90 million guaranteed into Cousins for the first two years of his contract, Falcons owner Arthur Blank had other ideas.
“Cousins preferred to be a starter elsewhere and campaigned for a release with owner Arthur Blank. But the Falcons said all along they were comfortable with bringing back Cousins as a backup, despite the considerable price tag,” Raimondi wrote.
While the contract was a questionable move by Atlanta, holding onto their investment in Cousins proved necessary, especially with Penix’s injury history.
Penix is facing what could be the fifth season-ending injury in the past eight years for the 25-year-old quarterback.
“He suffered season-ending ACL tears in his right knee during his college career in 2018 and 2020 and still plays with a large brace on that knee. He also suffered season-ending shoulder injuries in 2019 and 2021,” The Athletic’s Josh Kendall reported.
The Falcons are dealing with a worst-case scenario as both of their investments at quarterback have struggled with injuries.
Outside of winning out and clinching a playoff berth with Cousins, the Falcons (3-7) appear poised to part ways with Cousins this upcoming offseason with less guaranteed money sunk into the remainder of his contract.
Whether Cousins would sign on to be a backup elsewhere in the offseason remains to be seen. But if he can return to his starting form in the final stretch of the season, he could find himself again atop the quarterback free agency in the spring.
“Will the 37-year-old be able to lift Atlanta? It could be an audition for Cousins, who is likely to be released in the offseason,” Raimondi wrote.
However, if Cousins does not fare well, his lack of prospects finding a starting job could lead to thoughts of retirement.
Kirk Cousins Could Remedy Vikings QB Crisis
Through five starts, J.J. McCarthy has shown that his development with the Vikings is going to take time.
However, the Vikings have a ready-to-win roster and did not insulate the quarterback room with enough talent to lead the team to victory when McCarthy was out with an ankle injury.
Carson Wentz was not the answer, and the Vikings may need to bring in a more talented veteran who is willing to serve as backup.
Cousins could be open to that possibility if he does not find a starting job in free agency.
Other viable options include Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor, Jimmy Garoppolo or Gardner Minshew.
Buccaneers Receive Encouraging Recovery Timeline Update on Mike Evans
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been waiting nearly six weeks for clarity on Mike Evans’ fractured collarbone.
As PFSN noted, that patience may finally be paying off.
While Evans has yet to return to practice, multiple reports, including updates from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Fox Sports’ Greg Auman, indicate that the veteran wideout remains on track with the original 6-8 week recovery window.
Auman noted that the expectation has always been a “longer-side” timetable, but was very optimistic about his return:
“Evans could be available at the end of the regular season and for the playoffs.”
Tampa Bay has not provided a formal update this week, but the tone from league insiders reflects growing optimism rather than concern.
Evans’ Injury and How It Has Reshaped Tampa Bay’s Offense
Evans’ 2025 season has been a nightmare.
He started the year with a hamstring strain that cost him early practice time and limited his production in September.
In just four games, he only had 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Then, the major setback came in Week 7 against the Lions.
Evans absorbed a hard hit to the shoulder area while attempting to secure a deep contested catch.
The hit resulted in a fractured collarbone.
This injury has a notoriously tricky recovery process due to how easily the bone can be reinjured before fully healing.
The absence of Evans’ physicality, contested-catch prowess, and red-zone ability has forced the Buccaneers to adapt their entire offense.
With Evans out, the offense has mostly gone through rookie Emeka Egbuka emerging as the top option and tight end Cade Otton seeing expanded usage.
Compared to the first six games of the season where Tampa Bay’s offense was among the top of the league, they have struggled recently and injuries have been a huge part of it.
Evans’ potential return could spark this offense and get them back to their early-season form.
A 1,000-Yard Streak in Jeopardy
Evans entered the year with one of the most remarkable streaks in NFL history.
He has 11 straight seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards.
With only 140 yards entering Week 12 and limited games left to play, that streak is almost certain to end.
But his potential return remains crucial to Tampa Bay’s postseason hopes.
At 6-4 with the NFC South tightening, Tampa Bay faces a defining stretch beginning in Week 13.
If Evans returns by Week 15, he would be available for two late-season matchups against the Panthers and a possible division-deciding finale.
Even if the milestone streak ends, Evans impact has never been about numbers alone.
His presence changes how defenses cover the Bucs, elevates Mayfield’s confidence, and brings back a dimension the Buccaneers offense that simply can’t be replicated.
For now, the recovery timeline remains encouraging.
The Bucs could not be more excited for their legendary wide receiver to return.
