Kirk Cousins Rumors: Falcons, Vikings QB to Have FA Talks When Tampering Window Opens

Free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins intends to speak with the Atlanta Falcons once the negotiating window opens at 12 p.m. ET, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler reported a reunion with the Minnesota Vikings remains on the table for Cousins. That he's deciding to test the open market raises doubts about that.

His choice to speak with other franchises at least won't come as a surprise.

The Falcons were linked with the four-time Pro Bowler before this, with NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reporting Sunday that Atlanta and potentially the Denver Broncos could be in the running to land him.

Desmond Ridder clearly isn't the option for the Falcons after getting benched midway through his second season, and they're not in a position in the 2024 NFL draft to get one of the top signal-callers without trading up. USC's Caleb Williams, North Carolina's Drake Maye and LSU's Jayden Daniels will likely all be off the board when Atlanta is on the clock at No. 8.

Signing Cousins is the most straightforward way to address its QB situation to a meaningful degree.

This could all be a negotiating ploy by the 35-year-old to extend his stay in Minnesota more on his terms. It's one thing to demand a specified number of years and the structure of the overall payout; it's another to have concrete offers from one or more outside suitors in hand while making those demands.

But it looks like Cousins will give the Falcons every chance to sell him on calling Atlanta home.