Kirk Cousins Returns to Minnesota: A Clash of Past and Present for the Vikings and Falcons
EAGAN, Minn. — From the moment the NFL schedule dropped, Week 14 was circled in bold red ink for fans of the Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons. Why? Because it’s the ultimate homecoming showdown for Kirk Cousins. After six seasons as the Vikings’ quarterback, Cousins will step back into U.S. Bank Stadium—but this time, he’s wearing Falcons red and black. The stakes? A chance to answer some burning questions about his decision to leave Minnesota and the Vikings’ choice to move on without him.
Let’s rewind to March. Cousins turned down an offer to re-sign with the Vikings, likely for just one more season, and instead inked a four-year, $100 million fully guaranteed deal with Atlanta. The move raised eyebrows. Did Cousins make the right call? And would the Vikings regret letting him walk without a clear successor in place? Well, as we approach this highly anticipated matchup, the answers seem to be taking shape.
Vikings Thriving Without Cousins
The Vikings are sitting pretty at 10-2, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, who’s having a career-best season on a one-year, $10 million deal. Statistically, it’s hard to argue that Minnesota’s record would be any better if Cousins had stayed. Meanwhile, Cousins, who’s earning a jaw-dropping $62.5 million this season, has been inconsistent for the 6-6 Falcons. In fact, his struggles have sparked chatter about rookie Michael Penix Jr. potentially taking over in Atlanta.
Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson, who once called Cousins’ return to Minnesota “perfect,” now sees things differently. “We’re 10-2, and we have a new quarterback that we’re confident in,” Jefferson said this week. “It’s worked out both ways.”
Sam Darnold’s Redemption Arc
Darnold’s numbers through Week 13 are impressive: 23 touchdown passes (No. 4 in the NFL), 8.2 yards per attempt (No. 5), and 2,952 total passing yards (No. 10). While turnovers were an issue earlier in the season—he led the league with 14 just two weeks ago—Cousins has since taken that dubious honor with 15. Cousins’ recent performances have been particularly rough, including a four-interception game in a 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in three games.
Meanwhile, Darnold has been on fire, racking up 811 yards, seven total touchdowns, and zero interceptions in his last three outings. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell praised Darnold’s growth, saying, “Most of the year he’s played really good football. But his journey over these last two, three weeks… has been really cool to watch.”
How the Vikings Built a Contender
The Vikings’ decision to part ways with Cousins wasn’t just about the quarterback position. It was about reshaping the entire roster. By absorbing a $28.5 million dead-money hit from Cousins’ previous contract, the team cleared the way for future flexibility. That move allowed them to sign nearly two dozen free agents and extend key players like Jefferson ($140 million) and left tackle Christian Darrisaw ($110 million).
Jefferson is thriving, ranking second in the NFL with 1,038 receiving yards. But it’s not just the offense that’s shining. Free-agent linebackers Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, and Blake Cashman have been pivotal to the team’s defensive success. The Vikings’ defense, led by coordinator Brian Flores, ranks fourth in the league with 39 sacks and has held opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 81.0, the fourth-worst mark in the NFL.
Cousins’ Struggles in Atlanta
For Cousins, the transition to Atlanta hasn’t been smooth. After a promising 6-3 start, the Falcons have dropped three straight games, with Cousins throwing six interceptions and no touchdowns during that stretch. The once-commanding NFC South lead has evaporated, and the Falcons are now tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 6-6.
Even former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, now an analyst, has suggested it might be time to give Penix a shot. But Falcons head coach Raheem Morris is standing by Cousins, saying, “No one gives us a better chance to win than Kirk.”
The Emotional Return
As Cousins prepares to face his former team, the emotions are running high. “You just feel so much gratitude for those people,” Cousins said of his time in Minnesota. But gratitude won’t be enough to quiet the calls for Penix if Cousins struggles again. The Vikings’ defense will be ready, and the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd will undoubtedly make its presence felt.
For the Vikings, this game is a chance to prove they made the right call in moving on from Cousins. For the Falcons, it’s a chance for Cousins to silence his critics and keep Atlanta’s playoff hopes alive. One thing’s for sure: all eyes will be on U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday.
Originally Written by: Kevin Seifert
