NFL free agency kicks off in 4.5 weeks, and according to CBS Sports, the Minnesota Vikings’ best option on the open market is to re-sign quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Atlanta Falcons are expected to drop Cousins in the next few weeks, and if so, Minnesota should pounce, says Jared Dubin.

The Cousins angle remains polarizing, but the idea might fit Minnesota’s need for experienced depth while McCarthy’s timeline continues to evolve.

The Vikings would blend the past and future with the move, and it might just make sense if head coach and de facto general manager Kevin O’Connell still thinks Cousins has the juice in 2026.

CBS Sports Puts Cousins Back in Play for MIN

Yep, Cousins is the recommendation.

CBS Sports on Vikings: Reunite with Kirk

Cousins left the Vikings after the 2023 campaign, spending six seasons in Minneapolis and totaling one playoff win along the way.

Dubin claims Minnesota now needs him back: “With the J.J. McCarthy experiment seemingly going off the rails, the Vikings need to bring in a veteran quarterback to compete with him and/or be the backup and fill-in starter in case things don’t go well again.”

“Cousins is likely set to hit free agency given his contractual situation, and we know he is familiar with both the Vikings and Kevin O’Connell’s system, making this an easy, comfortable fit.”

Other teams, like the Kansas City Chiefs, were connected to men like Breece Hall. Dubin spitballed Trey Hendrickson for the Indianapolis Colts. For Minnesota, it’s Cousins.

Vikings Offseasons Can Never Shake Cousins

Minnesota’s offseason quarterback plan starts with uncertainty. McCarthy’s transition to the NFL has been uneven, defined more by [bad] availability than development. He’s missed roughly 70% of games due to injury, and in his first season as a starter, he finished last in leaguewide efficiency metrics among quarterbacks. Both factoids have pressed the Vikings’ decision-makers to explore a quarterback competition this offseason.

And that’s where contingency comes into play. If the Vikings recommit to McCarthy in 2026, they’ll need insulation behind him. Cousins checks boxes that few others can. He knows O’Connell’s offense inside and out and has already adjusted to life as a QB2 in Atlanta. He might know his role.

Even when Cousins carried a massive contract in Atlanta, Minnesota kept surfacing as the most logical landing spot in league chatter. With Cousins now more attainable, the logic hasn’t disappeared one bit.

This Time, the Money Would Work

For once, the money wouldn’t be the obstacle for Cousins’s theories. He hasn’t operated in the bargain aisle since his rookie deal — nine years ago — and his reputation for maximizing earnings is Hall of Fame-worthy. At 37, and with Cousins already being paid by Atlanta for 2026, a team can sign him for cheap if he’s released. Think: Russell Wilson to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.

In 2026 free agency, the Vikings could realistically sign Cousins at a reduced rate and ask him to stabilize the room for a year or two while McCarthy develops. The decision comes down to philosophy. Minnesota has committed to a forward-facing timeline with McCarthy as QB1. The question is whether the O’Connell is willing to look “backward” at Cousins. Perhaps, perhaps not.

Cousins could also be an option for the New York Jets. The Jets Way‘s David Wyatt-Upton wrote this week:

I feel as though the name Kirk Cousins has been swirling around the Jets for a while. We were linked to him before he signed in Atlanta, we were linked with him last off-season and we were linked with him any time his contract was running down in Minnesota. Whether there was any fire to that smoke us unknown, but here we are again. We need a QB, Kirk Cousins is likely to be available, will he finally call NY home?

I will say right from the start that it’s hard to hitch your tent to a QB when you don’t know who the OC will be. You don’t know the style, the system, or the traits that are required to make it all work. But based on the names being mentioned as front-runners for the Jets, I feel relatively confident in stating Cousins would make a lot of sense for the Jets.

Shooting for the Stars?

The argument against Cousins? It feels like a mid-tier solution. Cousins never banked consistent playoff-winning success in Minnesota during his physical prime. Would things get better in the final season or two of his career? If so, how would that happen?

Subtracting Cousins from the offseason rumor mill, the Vikings could hunt big-name quarterbacks who may or may not be for sale — like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson.

Or the organization could explore realistic trade options for Kyler Murray or Mac Jones. Neither will turn 38 this summer like Cousins. Both are in their 20s.

Cousins to Minnesota would make sense if the Vikings still believe in McCarthy as the long-term QB1. They could sign a reunion contract as a matter of McCarthy insurance.

A grand takeaway from the decision to fire GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is that nailing the layups must happen. At No. 12 in 2022, the Vikings should have picked All-Pro safety Kyle Hamilton instead of trading, a truth that has been discussed ad nauseam.

Are the recent QB comments from Adofo-Mensah another instance of missing a layup?

Back on January 13th, Adofo-Mensah stepped in front of the Minnesota media. Was there still an ongoing desire to have J.J. McCarthy functioning as the starting passer? Check out the answer: “I don’t know that that’s…I want the Vikings to achieve our goals. And I think one of those goals is to make playoff runs and do different things like that. I think he has the character and ability to be the person to do that for our organization; if I say that in 2026, that kind of binds us into a certain area.”

Afterwards, Adofo-Mensah uplifted the need to create a “deep competitive room” at quarterback.

J.J. McCarthy, The Fired GM, & The QB Comments

Maybe Adofo-Mensah was a bit gun shy.

In the past, he made comments that took on a life of their own. Almost certainty, the former Vikings executive didn’t expect his quip about pursuing a “competitive rebuild” to catch fire in the manner that it did. Looking around at other things he has said (champagne problem?) could lead to similar regret about how comments get pulled out of proportion, becoming a caricature of the original meaning.

But while choosing words carefully is undoubtedly a good thing, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could have done better when answering about his desire (or lack thereof) for Mr. McCarthy to come back as the QB1.

Consider, for instance, an imaginary example of affirming belief in McCarthy without crowning McCarthy: “Yes, of course, I want McCarthy to be the starter, but that’s ultimately a decision for the coaching staff and McCarthy himself. We’ll build up a deep, competitive QB position and McCarthy will work toward proving that he deserves to remain as the starter. All of us here will ensure that he has everything he needs to succeed.”

Now that would have been a better answer.

Obviously, being able to comment on the question close to a month after it got asked is much easier than thinking on the fly. But there’s the other side of things: Adofo-Mensah was (at the time he answered) working toward the end of his fourth season as an NFL GM. He had to know going into the presser that questions about McCarthy and the QB position more broadly were coming.

Also notable is that the McCarthy answer — or non-answer, depending on one’s perspective — is that it came on the heels of acknowledging a failure in not being able to retain Daniel Jones.

Standing back could therefore lead to a bleak assessment.

The Vikings were overconfident in their ability to retain Jones, contributing toward losing Jones to the Colts. Minnesota then pledged its allegiance to an unproven McCarthy. The loyalty was so strong that there was a failure to add legitimate competition. Sam Howell did get tossed into the mix, but he was never a serious threat. Carson Wentz eventually got signed, but adding a veteran journeyman in late August was no threat to the QB1 spot.

After all of that, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah couldn’t articulate a deep desire to see his No. 10 selection from 2024 continue as the starter into 2026.

Now, that’s not to say that the former GM didn’t have a plan. In no way is that true.

The QB comments didn’t get into these particulars, but Adofo-Mensah opted to enhance the roster is such a robust way so as to lift much of the burden off McCarthy’s shoulders for 2025. Most notably, there was the aggressive spending in the trenches. Adofo-Mensah therefore had a plan. In the absence of actual QB competition, the Vikings decided to give J.J. McCarthy all of the resources he could possibly require for success.

The plan failed. The Vikings missed the playoffs. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah then got fired. Whether J.J. McCarthy is the ongoing QB1 remains to be seen. NFL free agency begins in a touch more than a month.

Someday, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is going to get another shot in the NFL. He’ll need to handle the easy shots that come his way, such as committing toward a highly-picked passer without boxing himself into a corner.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Country music singer Brantley Gilbert was tapped to perform at Turning Point USA’s “All-American Halftime Show” Sunday to counter Bad Bunny’s spectacle at the Super Bowl.

Gilbert will be one of four performers at the Turning Point USA event. Kid Rock is the headliner along with Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett. 

Gilbert has been performing professionally since 2007 and released his debut album in 2009.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Brantley Gilbert performs for fans before the start of the NASCAR Toyota – Save Mart 350 race at Sonoma Raceway on June 12, 2022. (Stan Szeto/USA Today Sports)

He may not be a household name for some Americans and football fans. He addressed those who were asking who he is and why he’s performing at the event.

“I’m a songwriter who grew up, and still lives in Jackson County, Georgia, whose goal in the music business was to sell out the local theater a few miles from my house and somehow make my living writing songs,” he said in a statement. 

“I’m a recovering addict with the history of all the bad choices that come with it. I’m not proud of those choices, but I am proud of the choice I’ve made to live in another direction.

“I share my story through my music in hopes that it may help and inspire others in their darkest hour. I’m a Christian, and I love our country despite its flaws. I’ve dedicated part of my life to the men and women who fight for it and the families of those who gave their life for it. Above all, I’m a proud husband and father of three.”

EX-ESPN STAR SHARES THE ‘DISTURBING’ THING ABOUT BAD BUNNY PERFORMING AT SUPER BOWL LX

Brantley Gilbert arrives on the red carpet for the 59th Annual CMA Awards at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 2025. (Andrew Nelles/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

Gilbert added that he wanted to perform for his children and that it’s been more than 20 years since a country artist had been asked to perform at halftime of the Super Bowl.

“We’re celebrating 250 years as a country, and it’s been more than 20 years since a country artist has been asked to play the Super Bowl halftime show. I respect that some people may see this differently, but I’m not playing this show to be divisive. I was offered this opportunity and imagined my kids watching their daddy perform at halftime during the biggest game in American football. Everything I do, I do for them.

“The way I treat people isn’t conditional based on what our differences may be. I believe “united we stand, divided we fall,” and my prayer for our country is that we stand united.”

He said he was looking forward to putting on an epic show Sunday.

Turning Point USA said the show will air live on YouTube, X and Rumble in addition to other conservative news outlets.

“The All-American Halftime Show” is scheduled to air around 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 8 and will feature performances from artists including Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice and Gabby Barrett, according to the nonprofit organization. (Turning Point USA)

Andrew Kolvet, TPUSA’s spokesman, previously told Fox News Digital the broadcast will provide families a different viewing option that will give the viewer an immersive and high-energy experience.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“‘The All-American Halftime Show’ is an opportunity for all Americans to enjoy a halftime show with no agenda other than to celebrate faith, family and freedom,” Kolvet said. “We can’t wait to watch the incredible show they’re about to put on. We know millions around the country will be watching too.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Before the show tonight, there were protests on the streets of Milan as hundreds of people, mostly students according to reports, voiced their unhappiness at the presence of American ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents in Italy.

Our correspondent Elisabetta Galla was at the protests today and passed on the following information:

Many were protesting about the social issues in Milan, such as rising rent costs and how spending money on an Olympic Games was not the right choice right now. Others were upset about the environmental impact of all the new construction that has gone on, particularly in Cortina. There were also protesters about Isreal being at the Games and not being banned like Russia. Around 10,000 protesters from all across Italy are expected in Milan tomorrow, but tonight, in front of the stadium, Galla reports a totally different atmosphere with many happy people from Milan who are proud of hosting the Olympics.

The US ambassador to Italy, Tilman J. Fertitta, recently said that the ICE officers would be deployed “only in an advisory and intelligence capacity, without patrolling or enforcement measures.”

This is likely in reference to the Homeland Security Investigations unit, which is a unit within ICE that focuses on cross-border crimes. It frequently sends officers to events like the Olympics to help with security, and they are completely seperate from those currently at the forefront of the immigration crackdown in the US. However, as the protests show, any ICE presence in the country has increased the tension.

US vice president JD Vance and secretary of state, Marco Rubio, will be at the opening ceremony tonight, and Vance met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni earlier on Friday. Meloni said sport and religion were “values that keep together Italy and the US, Europe and the US, Western civilisation.”

President Donald Trump has shared a video of activist Laura Loomer asking CNN lead anchor Jake Tapper to apologize. Loomer claimed that fake news via CNN led to his attempted assassination.

On February 6, Donald Trump shared the video of Laura Loomer questioning CNN’s Washington lead anchor, Jake Tapper. The post did not include any caption. In the video, Loomer was seen saying:

“Have some courage for once, apologize for all of your fake news at CNN that has led to this intensive assassination of President Trump. Jake, shameful behavior from CNN. You guys have blood on your hands. You have blood on your hands.”

Loomer added:

“Jake, when are you going to apologize to the American people for lying about President Trump for years? When are you going to call out Joe Biden for saying that it’s time to put President Trump in a bullseye? Come on, you guys talking so much. Sh*tty.”

Loomer was seemingly referring to the two assassination attempts of the current President during the 2024 Presidential election promotions. In July 2024, the Republican president, who was then the Republican nominee, survived a shooting attempt in Pennsylvania. He was at the spot as part of a rally ahead of the elections. Two months later, in September 2024, Trump survived another assassination attempt while playing golf at his club in Florida.

Laura Loomer defends Donald Trump after the President shares alleged racist video of the Obamas

President Trump faced immense criticism after allegedly sharing a controversial clip where multiple US leaders were depicted as animals. The 62-second clip featured former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michele Obama as monkeys. The video, shared on February 6 through the President’s official handle on TruthSocial, faced major backlash for being allegedly racist towards the Obamas.

The video was later removed from the account. A staff member from the White House mentioned that the video was “erroneously” shared from the account. Further, multiple Republican leaders also demanded that Trump apologize for the video, including Senator Tim Scott, who is a Black man.

Speaking about the video, Laura Loomer staunchly defended the President, claiming he did “nothing wrong.” In a February 6 post, Laura Loomer wrote:

“DONALD TRUMP DID NOTHING WRONG! @LoomerUnleashed has the full video that features the Obamas as monkeys. Spoiler Alert: Every single Deep State official is featured as an animal in this full video because Washington DC is a ZOO! The fake news media and RINOs like @votetimscott are lying. They are deliberately not showing you the full video because they want to pretend like Trump is racist against black people. The reality is, nobody has done more for black people than President Trump.”

Further, Laura Loomer also claims the President does not write his own posts and his staff compose them for him. She wrote in another X post:

“President Trump doesn’t post on his own social media accounts. His staff posts for him. He dictates the text on the long posts, and then they type it. For the memes and photos, those are posted by staff. I have spent enough time with President Trump to know he doesn’t type the posts himself.”

Barack and Michelle Obama have yet to comment on the video. President Trump has also not made any public statements about the same.