Report: Falcons major contenders for Cousins

The Atlanta Falcons are major contenders to sign quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency, sources told Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz.

The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly still attempting to retain Cousins, who spent the last six seasons with the NFC North club.

Minnesota expects Cousins to inform the team of his decision to explore free agency Sunday night, sources told Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis of The Athletic.

Cousins' contract doesn't void until the new league year begins Wednesday. The Vikings have until then to extend him before his $28.5-million dead-money hit is officially on the books. The early free-agent tampering period starts Monday at 4 p.m. ET.

The veteran passer's 2023 campaign ended after eight games due to a torn Achilles.

Cousins is considered the top quarterback set to become available on the open market, and he said in January that he's targeting a return to action during OTAs.

The Vikings reportedly aren't willing to give him the fully guaranteed deals he's commanded in the past. He inked a three-year, $84-million fully guaranteed pact with the club as a free agent in 2018.

The Falcons desperately need an established quarterback: Poor play from both Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke held the team out of the playoffs in 2023.

Cousins was in the midst of one of his best seasons before going down with injury, throwing for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions.