Vikings' Kirk Cousins Open to Playing for Bill Belichick amid HC's Links to Falcons

Could Kirk Cousins team up with Bill Belichick this offseason? It's possible.

Cousins, who is a free agent this offseason, told Isabel Gonzalez of CBS Sports that he wouldn't turn down the opportunity to play for Belichick, who is being considered for the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching vacancy, if given the chance.

"I'm not going to turn down an opportunity to play with a future Hall of Fame coach, but we'll have to see where March leads," Cousins said. "It's just a lot of unknowns right now."

Belichick spent 24 season as head coach of the New England Patriots, winning 17 AFC East titles, nine AFC championships and six Super Bowls. The two sides agreed to part ways following a disappointing 2023 season that saw the Patriots finish 4-13 and miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.

The 71-year-old is now being considered for Atlanta's head coaching vacancy. He had his first interview with the franchise on Monday, which was a one-on-one with team owner Arthur Blank.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport then reported Thursday that Belichick had a second interview lined up for this weekend and that the two sides have a "pretty strong" mutual interest.

The Athletic's Dianna Russini added on Friday that Belichick is the franchise's "top candidate" to replace Arthur Smith. The Falcons flew Belichick to Atlanta on one of Blank's private jets and he had dinner with members of the franchise on Thursday, Russini added.

Belichick is said to be interested in coaching "talented yet underachieving teams," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

The Falcons boast a roster that includes Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Jessie Bates III and Calais Campbell, but they underperformed in 2023, finishing with a 7-10 record despite being in playoff contention for much of the year.

One of the biggest roster questions surrounding the Falcons entering 2024 is the quarterback position. Desmond Ridder hasn't shown signs that he can be a franchise quarterback, which opens the door for the team to bring in another signal-caller this winter.

Cousins has spent the last six seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings, which are interested in bringing him back in 2024. However, if the Falcons offer the veteran a contract with Belichick as head coach, it'll be interesting to see what he decides.

Cousins enters the 2024 season coming off a torn Achilles, though he plans to be ready for OTAs.