J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings warms up against the Atlanta Falcons.
J.J. McCarthy is 1-1 as the Minnesota Vikings’ starting quarterback, but the nature of his two starts already has some sounding the alarm and pushing for a trade with the team that beat them on “Sunday Night Football,” the Atlanta Falcons, for Kirk Cousins.
The Vikings’ conviction in McCarthy cost them Aaron Rodgers (Pittsburgh Steelers), Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts), and Sam Darnold (Seattle Seahawks) this past offseason.
At least one former NFL executive believes the Vikings have to pursue Cousins after Week 2.
Vikings Urged to Trade for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins
GettyMinnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah greets Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons before a game.
Cousins spent six years with the Vikings, leaving for the Falcons – and a four-year, $180 million contract, with a $40 million cap hit in 2205 – in free agency during the 2024 offseason. Part of his reasoning was that the Vikings planned to select his eventual replacement.
The Falcons ultimately did the same, selecting Michael Penix Jr. No. 9 overall in the 2024 draft, one spot ahead of where the Vikings landed McCarthy after a trade with the New York Jets.
Atlanta benched Cousins in Week 15 last season, potentially setting the stage for his return.
“Last week i said McCarthy is a long way from being a quality nfl QB,” former Cleveland Browns CEO and Philadelphia Eagles president Joe Banner posted on X on September 15. “X attacked and ridiculed me after he had a come from behind win against a bad D. I still think the Vikings should call Atlanta about Kirk Cousins. McCarthy may be the answer someday, but its not now.
This Heavy Sports Vikings trade proposal would send future conditional draft capital to the Falcons for Cousins, using FanDuel’s suggestion for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Vikings get:
Kirk Cousins
Falcons get:
2026 fifth-round pick (via ATL, PHI, SFO)
2027 seventh-round pick (via PHI)
The Vikings’ financial outlook further clouds Cousins’ future. Still, his Falcons sacked McCarthy 6 times and intercepted the Vikings’ young QB twice. McCarthy has completed 58.5% of his passes for 301 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions through two games.
“J.J. McCarthy ranks No. 32 out of 33 qualified QBs in QBR at 20.4,” ESPN’s Kevin Seifert posted on X in reaction to Banner’s message. “Only QB lower is Cam Ward (19.9).”
McCarthy has added another 50 yards and 1 TD on seven carries.
Vikings Going Back to Kirk Cousins Would Have Major Impact on J.J. McCarthy
GettyMinnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell talks with J.J. McCarthy #9 before a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Like Ward, the No. 1 pick in 20225, he has made two starts in his NFL career. The difference is that McCarthy spent his rookie year sidelined with a torn meniscus studying the Vikings’ offense under head coach Kevin O’Connell, his biggest advocate, and a highly regarded coaching staff.
Vikings star Justin Jefferson has remained in McCarthy’s corner, noting that patience would be critical with the young passer.
Questions about Jefferson’s potential frustration have also emerged over the first two weeks.
Going back to Cousins, and having to surrender draft capital in addition to figuring out a complicated financial outlook, would be an admission that the initial plan has stalled or been put on hold for the time being.
The other question is whether the Falcons even want to part with Cousins, as much as he may desire a change of scenery.
Penix completed 61.9% of his throws for 135 yards with 0 touchdowns (or interceptions) and was sacked 3 times in the win. That was enough against the Vikings in Week 2, but they may need more down the road.
Penix also has an extensive injury history.
Notably, Penix’s win offers a sort of atonement for his loss with the Washington Huskies to McCarthy and the Michigan Wolverines in the 2023 CFP National Championship.
Vikings Can Get Nostalgic Group Back Together
GettyJ.J. McCarthy #9 and Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings look on from the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons.
The nostalgia of this potential move would be heightened compared to previous but similar suggestions. The Vikings re-acquired WR Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers before the season. He was Cousins’ top target during the QB’s first season with the Vikings.
Thielen played alongside Jefferson (a 2020 first-round pick) until signing with Carolina in 2023.
Reiterating that the Vikings lost b/c of their defense. NOT this play. But here is a wider view of what Kirk Cousins saw on 4th down. Dexter Lawrence bearing down on him. Jefferson doubled. Thielen working deep out. Osborn is about to pop open when Cousins decides. pic.twitter.com/z6vppEnagO
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 16, 2023
The Vikings finished second in the NFC North twice, won the division once, and earned two playoff berths with a Cousins and Thielen duo.
Whether or not the Vikings believe that is worth putting the McCarthy era on hold is the key to any thoughts of a potential trade to reunite with Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler. And just what kind of impact that would have on McCarthy’s confidence is a significant unknown X-factor.
Josh Buckhalter covers the NBA and NFL for Heavy.com. He has covered both leagues since 2016, including bylines at FanSided, Last Word on Sports and Clocker Sports. He's based in Villa Park, Illinois. Follow Josh on Twitter and Instagram: @JoshGBuck More about Josh Buckhalter
