A reunion between the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins feels even less likely than before.
Speculation has simmered over whether the Vikings could attempt to re-acquire their longtime starting quarterback if the Atlanta Falcons shop him. While the Falcons have publicly expressed no desire to move him, Cousins reportedly wants a change of scenery now that Michael Penix Jr. has a firm grasp of the QB1 job.
The Vikings seemed to pour cold water over that hypothesis when acquiring Sam Howell during the NFL Draft. His new number may further signal that Minnesota won't pursue Cousins.
Minnesota revealed number assignments for its new players on Friday. Howell will wear No. 8, which Cousins wore throughout his six-season tenure with the Vikings.
It shouldn't be a stunning development, as Minnesota had already reassigned the number. Wide receiver Trishton Jackson switched from No. 9 to 8 last season.
Upon joining the Falcons, Cousins changed to No. 18. While tight end Kyle Pitts offered to give his new quarterback No. 8, playfully requesting more targets in return, Cousins declined to avoid buying out all the remaining Pitts jerseys.
Cousins couldn't keep No. 18 if returning to Minnesota, as Justin Jefferson could become the last Vikings player to don that number. Then again, tight end Josh Oliver wears the No. 84 that formerly belonged to Randy Moss.
Regardless of the number situation, a Cousins reunion was probably a long shot before the Howell deal.
Once Sam Darnold signed with Seattle, the Vikings appeared poised to hand the offense to J.J. McCarthy. The first-round pick missed his rookie season with a torn meniscus in his right knee.
Cousins has three seasons left on a $180 million contract that guaranteed him $100 million. One would think the Falcons would rather not pay so much to a second-stringer, but they're not showing much urgency to move the 36-year-old.
A move could still materialize, perhaps after Aaron Rodgers makes his long-awaited decision on whether to play in 2025. But Cousins probably won't wear purple and gold again.
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