KEVIN O’CONNELL – David Shama's Minnesota Sports Headliners

Return of Cousins Could Mean a Battle for Viking QB Job

Posted on January 4, 2026January 4, 2026 by David Shama

The whispering about a Kirk Cousins return to the Vikings for the 2026 season is ongoing. If he leaves the Falcons for Minnesota, it’s likely a reunion where he’s told ahead of arrival there will be an open competition for the starting quarterback position.

At 37 years old and having been an NFL starter for most of his career, including six seasons with the Vikings from 2018-2023, that’s an understanding probably necessary for an Act 2 involving Cousins who has a no trade clause in his contract with the Falcons. An NFL authority familiar with Cousins believes that despite the quarterback’s age Cousins may well want to be somewhere next season that he can start.

“I think you’d have to sell it as a competitive situation,” said the source who could see a starting position battle between Cousins and J.J. McCarthy.

The source, who was a top front office executive with a couple of NFL teams, thinks the Vikings could be well positioned to persuade Cousins to leave the Falcons where he’s been starting recently for the injured 25-year-old Michael Penix, Jr. Cousins is familiar with the Vikings offense and likes his former head coach, Kevin O’Connell.

The Falcons, who are committed long-term to Penix, are incentivized financially to move on from Cousins in the coming offseason. Cousins, who turns 38 in August, will receive $45 million ($35 million base salary and $10 million bonus roster) if he’s on the Falcons’ roster next season. But if Cousins is traded to another team, or waived, only $10 million of his $45 million is guaranteed.

Ex-Vikings QB Kirk Cousins — Kirk Cousins

That $10 million could be negotiated with a Falcons trade partner, with possibly both parties splitting the cost or the new team absorbing all of the money. It’s believed the Vikings might offer a late round draft choice for Cousins and negotiate a new guaranteed salary with him.

The source referenced here suggests the Vikings might be willing to offer their former starter $10 million for next season. That’s what they paid veteran Sam Darnold when they acquired him in the 2024 offseason.

“He liked it here, and likes KOC,” the authority said in regard to a Cousins’ homecoming. “But we’ll see. Money will talk in that situation.”

With Penix out with a serious knee injury, it’s possible the Falcons will choose to keep the costly Cousins on the roster. Down the stretch of this season Cousins has played well including a three down pass game in a 29-28 win over the Bucs. He would offer assurance for 2026 if Penix is slow to recover in mobility and performance. It’s also not likely the Falcons could acquire a Cousins replacement of his caliber during the coming offseason.

O’Connell talked about McCarthy becoming the Vikings “franchise quarterback” in 2024 before he had even played in a regular season game. The Vikings had selected him at No. 10 in the first round of the 2024 draft and the coaching staff, front office and ownership were excited about him.

However, injuries, body mechanics and inconsistencies in his play have cast doubt on McCarthy in the view of many Vikings followers. The source, however, remains confident in McCarthy long-term. He said franchise priority No. 1 for next season is to find a “quality No. 2” to back up the 22-year-old who missed the entire 2024 season and several games in 2025 with injuries.

The source also said McCarthy is a “potential Pro Bowler. I think he’s got the talent. He just needs more experience. But the problem is his injury history and so you gotta have a better No. 2 than what they had this year. …”

Cousins might be the best alternative in a 2026 quarterback market that looks so-so. Daniel Jones, for example, was briefly with the Vikings in 2024 and knows the offense. He will be a free agent in 2026 and although he played spectacularly for the Colts this season, he didn’t finish the year because of a torn Achilles. His rehab progress and future performance is conjecture now.

Jones, 28, and his representatives might well insist on more than $15 million from interested teams next season. So, it might be “Captain Kirk” to the rescue for the Vikings. The nickname is a reference to Star Trek character James T. Kirk who is known for leadership, poise and comeback skills.

The source also listed other priorities for the Vikings starting with the center position. “Because you can’t count on Ryan Kelly. He played really well when he was in there but he’s had too many concussions. He probably should retire.

“And (Michael) Jurgens, I don’t think is solid enough to be a starter. He’s an okay back up. So I think they probably need to draft a center in the early rounds or go to free agency again and try to find a quality center. …”

Other needs the authority identified include cornerback, suggesting the Vikings find help there via free agent signings or the draft. Safety needs attention, too, he said. “I am not sold on Theo Jackson. And we’ll see what happens with Harrison Smith. I think he played well enough to come back but will he want to, and that’s a question.”

Jackson is a potential replacement for Smith, 36, who could retire. Some observers wonder if Smith’s offseason decision will be impacted on whether acclaimed defensive coordinator Brian Flores leaves for another NFL job.

Asked about a potential replacement for Flores, the authority offered the name of Daronte Jones. Although he has never been a defensive coordinator in the NFL, he has called plays in the preseason and been a college coordinator. He’s also Smith’s position coach, handling the Vikings secondary.

“So, I think there’s a decent chance that Harrison would come back again,” the source said.

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NFL Authority: J.J. McCarthy Will Be ‘Pro Bowl Quarterback’

Posted on December 9, 2025December 9, 2025 by David Shama

A source who in the past has held positions of authority regarding player personnel with NFL franchises, told Sports Headliners the Vikings have a “down the road caliber Pro Bowl quarterback” in first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.

The 22-year-old has been under a microscope this fall, with heavy criticism often directed at him amidst speculation his career will be a dud. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said McCarthy’s inexperience while coping with a “complicated offense” has created a challenge. Results include throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (9) and generally having metrics that rank low among his competitors.

“He’s been thinking too much, holding the ball…and then making some poor decisions,” the authority said. “And (yet)…(Sunday) was an example of what kind of talent level he has, and that he’s going to continue to get better and better and better. …”

In Sunday’s home 31-0 win over the Commanders, McCarthy had his best game of the season. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 163 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His season quarterback rating moved to 67.4, after Sunday’s rating of 129.2.

It may well have been McCarthy’s best game also in going through his progressions and reading the situation on the field. “There were some occasions, yeah, when he would get locked in (on one target), or he held the ball a couple times, took sacks,” the source said. “But, hey, at least he didn’t throw any catastrophic interceptions like (Max) Brosmer did. Or like J.J. has done in the past.”

McCarthy has been under scrutiny for his throwing mechanics but that’s not the talk of the town this week. Head coach Kevin O’Connell publicly discussed mechanics in the past but the more recent message seems to be the issue can better be addressed in the offseason. “Obviously one of the factors was O’Connell told him they’re not going to worry about his mechanics as much and worry more about his decision making, and I think that showed (Sunday),” the source said.

The authority pointed out that promising young quarterbacks often take time to develop and produce expected results. He mentioned now Hall of Famer Peyton Manning who threw 28 pass interceptions during his rookie season when the Colts were 3-11. Caleb Williams, the NFL Draft No. 1 overall pick in 2024, struggled last season with the Bears but now is playing at a much higher level for his NFC North Division title contender.

The source said McCarthy has both the work ethic and talent to be exceptional. “I think he has shown his talent level which is high. I think the arm strength is high when you look at some of those long sideline throws he made on Sunday to (Jordan) Addison, to (T.J.) Hockenson. Those are where a quarterback shows their arm strength. Sometimes even more than (a) deep ball. . ..”

The growth line may continue to rise for McCarthy against the next two teams. Sunday night in Dallas the Vikings face a Cowboys pass defense that ranks last among 32 NFL teams in most yards given up, 3,543. On December 20, again on the road, McCarthy will face a Giants pass defense that has yielded 3,202 yards.

If the source sees a Pro Bowl future for McCarthy, he must believe there are at least several years ahead where he will lead the Vikings, right? “Yes. I don’t think there is any doubt but I do think they’re going to need to bring in a better No. 2 than they had this year. More durable than Carson Wentz. More reliable than Wentz.

“I think we saw enough of Max Brosmer to not believe he’s the answer necessarily. I mean over time he can develop but not for 2026. I think they have to have a guy who, if J.J. gets hurt, or he’s having a bad day, they can bring somebody in. …”

Twins Notes

Passionate Twins fans are anticipating the debut of outfielder Walker Jenkins during the 2026 season. Word is the 20-year-old former first round draft choice is likely to join the roster at some point in the season.

One of baseball’s most highly ranked prospects, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound North Carolina native has an impressive athletic make up and is said to have a mature mindset. In 718 minor league at bats, he has a career .295 batting average with 19 home runs and 114 RBI. He also has stolen 14 bases.

Jenkins would join a reshuffled roster that is expected to have several other new players, including in the bullpen. The front office has holes to fill there and could use help at first base and with a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Word is the Twins ownership and management intent is to challenge for the American League Central Division title. If so, they likely need high level production from multiple returnees including the Big 3 of outfielder Byron Buxton and starting pitchers Pablo Lopez and Joe Ryan.

Rumors of trading any, some or all of them has faded of late. Buxton has a no-trade clause in his contract so he would have to agree to playing for another team.

It’s believed the Twins’ two new minority investors will be announced prior to year’s end. The Pohlad family is likely to continue majority ownership indefinitely.

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Time for Vikings to Try Rookie Max Brosmer at Quarterback?

Posted on November 23, 2025November 23, 2025 by David Shama

Packer fans will savor their Old-Fashioneds in Dairyland supper clubs tonight. The Old Style’s will taste crisp in Wisconsin’s dive bars after the beloved Packers dominated the Vikings 23-6 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.

Vikings fans? They’re crying in their brews.

Me? I am sipping a Red Bull after watching a sleepy Viking offense run 15 plays in the second half for four yards!

The Vikings, now 4-7 and fading fast in the playoff hunt, had won two consecutive games at historic Lambeau—the venue judged the best in the NFL for fan experience by USA Today and Sports Illustrated earlier this year. But the 7-3-1 Packers dominated the game in which the Minnesota offense could produce only two long field goals by Will Reichard.

Reichard’s first half boots of 52 and 59 yards made the comments before the game of Viking coach Kevin O’Connell look prophetic. He told the KFAN Radio audience his “confidence is sky high” in the second-year place kicker from Alabama.

Nobody feels that way about the Vikings’ starting quarterback, though. J.J. McCarthy completed 12 of 19 passes for a measly 87 yards. He also threw two second half interceptions.

The 22-year-old, in his first season as the starter, began the game with a completion. Then he missed on his next three.

It was a similar game performance for McCarthy as seen much of the season. His accuracy was missing and his decision making, too. He held the ball too long and was sacked five times.

The 2024 first round draft choice, who missed last season with a knee injury, is now 2-4 as a starter. KOC is a proven QB whisperer but not a miracle man. He’s stressed his support for his inexperienced quarterback while acknowledging McCarthy’s issues including his mechanics.

McCarthy has had six games to play. There are seven games remaining on the Minnesota schedule.

Why not give rookie Max Brosmer a start next Sunday in Seattle against the Seahawks? If it’s a successful debut, let him audition in more games. Maybe all of them.

Brosmer, by all accounts, is mentally an exceptional rookie in his understanding of football, the offense and ability to process. As an undrafted rookie, he’s already surprised by emerging as the team’s No. 2 behind McCarthy.

The former Golden Gophers quarterback is two years older than McCarthy and had more college experience. He played five years at FCS New Hampshire and one at Minnesota. McCarthy played three seasons for Michigan.

Brosmer has played briefly in two regular-season games, attempting eight passes, completing five and throwing for 42 yards. He played in all three preseason games and completed 35 of 58 passes for 364 yards and two touchdowns.

Earlier in the fall KOC was asked about Brosmer and he noted the progress and improvement of the Georgia native who Gopher coach P.J. Fleck predicted last year would become an NFL player. KOC said in a game Brosmer would have his confidence and that of his teammates.

McCarthy’s struggles are such that he might prosper by sitting and watching. At least for a while.

Right now, it isn’t just the lack of points the Vikings are producing. It’s also that the offense’s ineffectiveness is leaving the defense on the field too long. Today the Green Bay time of possession was 37:15. Minnesota’s TOP was 22:45.

Replacing him in the starting lineup isn’t a death sentence to his career. Any knowledgeable football authority knows that failure often precedes success for NFL quarterbacks. Look no further than the Seahawks to recall that Sam Darnold, their new quarterback, was a first round bust until KOC revived his career with the Vikings last year.

A demotion now shouldn’t make any fans write McCarthy off, even in the short term of the next 12 months. That would be crazy. He might emerge as a better player in 2026 or beyond, either with the Vikings or some other team.

But at this moment, the Vikings have an opportunity to change the script, at least for a while, on the McCarthy experiment. Try another way with Brosmer while there are still meaningful games.

Whoever starts at quarterback next week, BTW, may have to work behind a patchwork offensive line. At Lambeau today offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (foot) and offensive guard Donovan Jackson (ankle) had to leave the game.

Ironically, for the first time this season, the Vikings started out with their preseason hoped-for starters. Making his return to join Darrisaw, Jackson, guard Will Fries and tackle Brian O’Neill was center Ryan Kelly who had been out all season with a concussion.

Wearing a soft-shell pad over his helmet, Kelly looked outstanding in both run and pass blocking. His blocking helped give some early game rushing help to Aaron Jones, Sr. and Jordan Mason.

Kelly was part of a busy offseason acquisition effort by Vikings management. He came as a free agent from the Colts where he was a four-time Pro Bowler.

The Vikings were willing to shake things up in the offseason by bringing in new players like Kelly, Fries, and defensive lineman Jonathan Allen. Is it time to make a move at quarterback?

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