The Vikings have been linked with a shock trade for Kirk Cousins as quarterback J.J. McCarthy experiences growing pains in training camp.

McCarthy, the No. 10 overall pick in last year’s draft, was sidelined all of last season after tearing his right meniscus.

He then witnessed a career year from Sam Darnold, though the team ultimately let him walk in free agency as Minnesota committed to McCarthy as their starter. 

The former Michigan star, however, has reportedly been up-and-down at training camp, and the Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling believes the team could add Atlanta’s Cousins as a backup.

‘I don’t think it’s impossible,’ Goessling said on the Access Vikings podcast. ‘There’s still a very good relationship between Kirk Cousins and Kevin O’Connell. They are still friends. They are still, I think, in contact at times.’

He later continued:  ‘… How do you fit that in the locker room? It’s not his [Cousins’] team anymore…  I think everybody would have to be on the same page about what roles are and what expectations are. That would be the biggest hurdle, and I think the optics of that would be tricky as well.’

Kirk Cousins has been linked with a stunning return to the Vikings after one season in Atlanta

Minnesota has committed to J.J. McCarthy under center but he is having growing pains

That reporting – which indicated the Vikings were more generally on the ‘hunt’ for a backup behind McCarthy – came days before some illuminating comments from Dianna Russini on Colin Cowherd’s ‘The Herd,’ as she claimed the team is ‘lifting up’ their new quarterback.

‘Do I think J.J. McCarthy is wowing everyone at training camp? No, I don’t,’ she said. ‘I think he’s fine.’ 

It’s not wholly surprising that McCarthy, who hardly even played in the preseason last year before getting hurt, is taking some time to adjust to the NFL.

However, the Vikings are certainly in win-now mode after going 14-3 last year – with four-time All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson on the books as well.

Cousins returning to Minnesota even as a backup could still cause friction given his history with the franchise.

Cousins starred for the Vikings over six seasons before signing with the Falcons

He spent six seasons with the team as its starter, posting a healthy 50-37-1 record and becoming third all-time in Vikings’ pᴀssing yards.

After leaving Minnesota to sign a four-year, $180million deal with the Falcons, Atlanta surprisingly drafted Michael Penix with the No. 8 overall pick and turned to Penix as the starter for the last three games of 2024. Penix is now entering this season as the starter.

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Even if Cousins doesn’t wind up back in Minnesota, Goessling believes the Vikings will look to firm up their depth and compeтιтion behind McCarthy. 

Sam Howell is currently second on the depth chart after the team’s former backup Nick Mullens signed with the Jaguars in the offseason

‘I think there is going to continue to be a hunt for an option there… if they found something they liked that worked in a trade, I wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to make something happen,’ he said.

McCarthy and the Vikings will begin their preseason on Saturday against the Texans.

They’ll kick off their regular season on September 8 at the Bears.