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NFL Insider Drops Another Kirk Cousins Clue for Vikings

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Kirk Cousins plays in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium.
Oct 1, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) surveys the field during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 1, 2023. Cousins stood in the pocket as Minnesota pushed through the final minutes of a road contest, directing the offense late in the NFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.

Reports of Kirk Cousins’s possible 2026 reunion with the Minnesota Vikings have swung back and forth through seven weeks of the offseason, and the latest clue leans heavily in favor of a partnership. Jason La Canfora spilled his version of the beans this week, insinuating that Cousins could indeed be back to work alongside J.J. McCarthy.

The latest buzz suggests Minnesota could revisit Cousins, but the real story is what job he’d hold.

Cousins worked for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023, helping the club reach the playoffs twice in six years and earn one postseason win.

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Cousins Reunion Buzz Gains Momentum

The rumor saga continues.

Kirk Cousins warms up for the Falcons in Charlotte. Kirk Cousins Vikings Rumors.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) goes through warmups at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sep. 21, 2025, preparing for kickoff as cameras track his pregame routine. The veteran signal-caller loosens his arm and scans the field ahead of another regular-season road assignment. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

La Canfora: Cousins to MIN Is Real

La Canfora wasn’t shy this week about banging the drum of a Cousins reunion. He wrote, “Despite interest from other teams, a reunion with Minnesota seems likely due to Cousins’ fit and affection for the city. The NFL moves in mysterious ways, and just two years after Kirk Cousins left Minnesota for a hefty contract in Atlanta.

“There is now a growing sentiment among NFL executives in the market for quarterbacks that Cousins could very well end up back with the Vikings.”

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Minnesota has made it crystal-clear that another quarterback to accompany McCarthy is on the way; it’s just a matter of who and what that man’s role will be.

“McCarthy has proven to be difficult to be develop, according to multiple league sources, with his erratic play playing no small role in the franchise recently moving on from its general manager,” La Canfora continued.

“Cousins finally began to play better football late last season after an Achilles injury, and a poor fit in Atlanta’s offense, led to basically two lost seasons with the Falcons. In a very weak free-agent class, he stands out as a legit stop-gap option.”

McCarthy started 10 games in 2025, the first batch of his career, and ranked dead last leaguewide in EPA+CPOE.

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Cousins’s Role?

Imagine a Cousins reunion in Minnesota gaining traction, as La Canfora suggests. The appeal extends beyond mere nostalgia. Cousins previously held the undisputed QB1 position for the Vikings. A return, however, wouldn’t automatically reinstate him.

Kevin O’Connell would face three plausible options: immediately name him the Week 1 starter in 2026, conduct a genuine training camp competition with McCarthy, or assign Cousins to a true QB2 backup role, similar to his anticipated situation in Atlanta in 2025.

Statistical context is key to evaluating Cousins’s potential. In 2023, his last full season as Minnesota’s starter, Cousins ranked fifth in the league in EPA+CPOE. In 2025, that figure plummeted to 30th out of 35 qualifying players. An Achilles tear and the passage of three years separate the potential 2026 version from the 2023 version. While his past accomplishments still hold value, realistic projections require caution. The Vikings won’t get the prime version of Kirko.

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La Canfora’s also noted on his source’s intel, “That GM was fairly adamant about a Cousins reunion with Minnesota, though there will clearly be other interested parties. Cousins and his family loved being in Minnesota, he fits the system, they are loaded with skill player talent on the roster.”

“It just may be too good a fit for the team or player to neglect. In other news, quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Malik Willis are also viewed by league insiders as potential movers this offseason.”

A Forgettable 2025 Campaign

The aforementioned stat: in 2025, 35 quarterbacks matched or exceeded Cousins’ passing volume. Of those 35, he ranked 30th in EPA per play.

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Kirk Cousins drops back to pass against the Chiefs.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) drops back to pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Oct. 8, 2023. Cousins surveys the pocket as protection forms around him in a tightly contested nonconference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Should Minnesota reconsider signing him, the front office would be betting on a quarterback who, among qualifying players, ranked as the league’s fifth-worst the previous season. Expecting him to lead them to Super Bowl contention would require a significant leap of faith. Almost a comical leap.

The physical aspect further complicates the situation. McCarthy’s most effective plays in 2025 occurred when he improvised outside of structured plays, scrambling and resetting. This type of flexibility isn’t merely an option in O’Connell’s offense; it’s integral.

Cousins, on the other hand, operates almost exclusively from within the pocket. This has been his established style for years, and at 38, it’s unlikely to change. While his arm remains strong, his mobility is stinks.

Minnesota’s offense, as of late, requires an adaptable and nimble quarterback; Cousins offers inflexibility.

McCarthy v. Cousins in the Summer Somewhat Poetic

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No matter one’s opinion of Cousins, the camp battle between him and McCarthy would be one for the ages, at least per the public opinion spectacle. The Vikings would showcase a competition — a real one — of its past and future, with most probably cheering for McCarthy to win the QB1 job along the way.

J.J. McCarthy practices before a Vikings home game.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) participates in pregame drills at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Dec. 7, 2025, getting in reps before kickoff. McCarthy works through throws and footwork as the Vikings finalize preparations for their home matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

The optics might be weird and awkward — crawling back to Cousins after a tumultuous early experience with McCarthy. But in the grand scope of Vikings history, the two duking it out in Eagan would be rather fascinating.


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Alex Eala reaches Dubai Quarterfinal

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Alex Eala defeated Sorana Cîrstea 7-5, 6-4 at the Dubai Tennis Championships to reach the quarterfinals.

The win sends Eala into her second career WTA 1000 quarterfinal and her first in Dubai, continuing an impressive run marked by composure and confidence.

After the match, Eala spoke about what the moment meant to her.
“Super special,” she said. “Every round is such a battle and so filled with tension. I’m really happy with how I performed and really happy to be able to share it with all of you.”

  • Coco Gauff fights back to reach Dubai QuarterfinalCoco Gauff fights back to reach Dubai Quarterfinal

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Asked about the support she has received, she added:
“The waves of support have really made every single match all the more special. It’s difficult to describe the emotions of playing in front of this crowd. I’m really grateful to be here.”

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the quarterfinals; this will be their first meeting at the tour level. Speaking ahead of the match, Eala expressed admiration for her opponent.

“Coco is such an amazing person,” she said. “She’s a great role model for so many.”

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Genesis Invitational 2026 parlay, props, predictions: PGA longshot picks from proven model

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The final chance to construct a PGA longshot parlay on the tour’s West Coast Swing comes at the Genesis Invitational 2026. Hosted at Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, this is the second signature event of the year and has a loaded field to make golf props on. The top of the PGA odds board features names such as Scottie Scheffler (+300), Rory McIlroy (+1100), 2024 winner Hideki Matsuyama and Tommy Fleetwood at +2000 and defending champion Ludvig Aberg (+4000). Australian Adam Scott, who is +5500 in the outright market, could be popular in a 2026 Genesis Invitational parlay as he has two wins and two runners-up at this tournament.

Scott is at +660 to notch a top 5 with your PGA picks while simply cracking the top 20 returns +120. From finishing positions to head-to-head matchups, a Genesis Invitational parlay can go in a number of different directions. Before making any 2026 Genesis Invitational picks or golf parlays, you need to see this PGA Tour parlay from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

SportsLine’s proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, has been red-hot since the PGA Tour resumed in June 2020. In fact, the model is up over $8,000 on its best bets since the restart, nailing tournament after tournament.

This same model has also nailed a whopping 16 majors entering the weekend, including the 2025 Masters — its fourth Masters in a row — as well as this year’s PGA Championship and Open Championship. Anyone who has followed its golf betting picks could have seen massive returns on betting sites

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New users can also target the DraftKings promo code, which offers $200 in bonus bets if your bet wins:

Now that the 2026 Genesis Invitational field is locked in, SportsLine simulated the tournament 10,000 times. It has locked in betting picks to form a 5-leg golf parlay that pays out well over $60,000 for a $10 bettor. See the picks and full parlay by heading to SportsLine.

Top 2026 Genesis Invitational parlay, PGA Tour picks

For the Genesis Invitational 2026, one of the picks featured in the model’s 5-leg PGA Tour parlay is Cameron Young notching a Top 5 finish at +475. Young was the No. 44 player in World Ranking at this time a year ago but is now ranked 22nd thanks to a stellar finish to 2025. He placed in the top 12 in eight of his final 11 events of the year, including five top 5s. He collected his first PGA Tour victory at the Wyndham Championship and has experienced nothing but success at Riviera Country Club.

Young was runner-up at his first ever start at this course in 2022 and has a pair of top 20s in his ensuing two starts at the Los Angeles venue. He’s shot under par in 10 of 12 rounds at the course and his ranking of 17th in driving distance will be beneficial, especially on the drivable par-4 10th hole. Few combine Young’s recent hot streak, previous course success and relevant metrics, making this golf prop one to jump on with your Genesis Invitational parlay. See the rest of the PGA Tour parlay legs here.

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New users can also check out the latest FanDuel promo code and get $100 in bonus bets at FanDuel if your $5 bet wins:

How to make PGA Tour parlay picks 

The model has also picked an outright winner, plus two props that return over +600 among its five PGA Tour picks for the 2026 Genesis Invitational parlay that pays well over $60,000 on just a $10 bet. You can only see the picks and the full parlay at SportsLine.

So, who will win the Genesis Invitational 2026, and what combination of PGA Tour props could unlock a payday of well over $60,000 on just a $10 bet? Visit SportsLine now to get the PGA Tour parlay and picks for the Genesis Invitational, all from the golf model that’s nailed a whopping 16 majors entering the weekend, and find out.

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Brand buffs, Ryze adjustments, and more

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With plenty of inclusions at the start of season 16, the League of Legends patch 26.4 has now adjusted several elements to bring more balance to the title. The developers are tweaking numerous items, along with renowned jungle champions. On top of that, some Winter Sports skins will be available temporarily on the market.

Here are all the changes mentioned in the official League of Legends patch 26.4.


All champion buffs in League of Legends patch 26.4

All major changes in League of Legends patch 26.4 (Image via Riot Games)All major changes in League of Legends patch 26.4 (Image via Riot Games)
All major changes in League of Legends patch 26.4 (Image via Riot Games)

“1) Annie

Q – Disintegrate

  • Base Damage: 80 / 120 / 160 / 200 / 240 ⇒ 80 / 125 / 170 / 215 / 260

E – Molten Shield

  • Cooldown: 12 / 11.5 / 11 / 10.5 / 10 seconds ⇒ 10 seconds

2) Brand

Passive – Blaze

  • Ablaze Monster Damage: 265% ⇒ 270%
  • Non-Epic Monster Damage Cap: 40 ⇒ 50

3) Camille

E – Hookshot

  • Always On Point: Attack speed is now gained when Camille dashes off a wall, regardless of whether or not she hits an enemy champion.

4) Darius

Passive – Hemorrhage

  • Monster Damage: 2x ⇒ 2.5x

5) Fizz

W – Seastone Trident

  • Bonus Monster Damage: 60 ⇒ 90

6) Graves

E – Quickdraw

  • Armor per Stack: 4 / 7 / 10 / 13 / 16 ⇒ 7 / 10 / 13 / 16 / 19
  • MR per Stack: 2 / 3.5 / 5 / 6.5 / 8 ⇒ 3.5 / 5 / 6.5 / 8 / 9.5

7) Hwei

WW – Pool of Reflection

  • Maximum Shield Value: 100 / 125 / 150 / 175 / 200 ⇒ 100 / 140 / 180 / 220 / 260
  • Ally Shield Mod: 75% ⇒ 85%

R – Spiraling Despair

  • Cooldown: 140 / 115 / 80 ⇒ 120 / 100 / 80

8) Illaoi

Passive – Prophet of an Elder God

  • Tentacle Base Damage: 9-180 (based on level) ⇒ 9-200 (based on level)

9) Lux

Base Stats

  • Base Mana: 480 ⇒ 440
  • Starting Mana Regen: 7 ⇒ 9

Q – Light Binding

  • Cooldown: 11 / 10.5 / 10 / 9.5 / 9 ⇒ 10

W – Prismatic Barrier

  • Cooldown: 14 / 13 / 12 / 11 / 10 ⇒ 12 / 11.5 / 11 / 10.5 / 10

10) Maokai

Q – Bramble Smash

  • Bonus Monster Damage: 120 / 130 / 140 / 150 / 160 ⇒ 140 / 150 / 160 / 170 / 180

11) Samira

Q – Flair

  • Life Steal Effectiveness: 80% ⇒ 100%

R – Inferno Trigger

  • Life Steal Effectiveness: 80% ⇒ 100%

12) Teemo

E – Toxic Shot

  • Monster Damage: 145% ⇒ 160%

13) Udyr

Q – Wilding Claw

  • Base Bonus Damage On-Hit: 5 / 11 / 17 / 23 / 29 / 35 ⇒ 5 / 13 / 21 /29 / 37 / 45

W – Iron Mantle

  • Base Shield Strength: 45 / 60 / 75 / 90 / 105 / 120 ⇒ 45 / 65 / 85 / 105 / 125 / 145

14) Xayah

Q – Double Daggers

W – Deadly Plumage

  • Cooldown: 20 / 19 / 18 / 17 / 16 ⇒ 18 / 17 / 16 / 15 / 14 seconds

E – Bladecaller

Also read: All League of Legends patch release dates in 2026


All champion nerfs in League of Legends patch 26.4

1) Ambessa

Q – Cunning Sweep

Sundering Slam

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  • Bonus Damage to Monsters: 150 ⇒ 125

2) Aphelios

Passive – The Hitman and the Seer

  • Bonus AD: 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 ⇒ 4 / 8 / 12 / 16 / 20 / 24

3) Braum

R – Glacial Fissure

  • Base Damage: 150 / 300 / 450 ⇒ 150 / 250 / 350
  • Cooldown: 120 / 100 / 80 ⇒ 130 / 115 / 100 seconds

4) Gwen

Q – Snip Snip!

  • Base Damage per Snip: 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 ⇒ 10 / 13.5 / 17 / 20.5 / 24
  • Minion Damage Modifier: 0.75x ⇒ 0.8x

R – Needlework

  • Base Damage per Needle: 35 / 65 / 95 ⇒ 30 / 50 / 70

5) Jinx

Base Stats

  • Armor Growth: 4.7 ⇒ 4.2

6) Kassadin

Base Stats

  • Health Growth: 119 ⇒ 113

E – Force Pulse

  • Slow: 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90% ⇒ 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70%

7) Kayle

Q – Radiant Blast

  • Base Damage: 60 / 100 / 140 / 180 / 220 ⇒ 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 / 180

8) Kennen

R – Slicing Maelstrom

  • Cooldown: 120 / 100 / 80 ⇒ 120

9) Naafiri

Base Stats

  • Base Health Regen: 7.5 ⇒ 6
  • Health Regen Growth: 0.7 ⇒ 0.6

Q – Darkin Daggers

  • Mana Cost: 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 ⇒ 50 / 60 / 70 / 80 / 90

E – Eviscerate


10) Qiyana

Base Stats

  • Health Growth: 121 ⇒ 115

11) Rengar

Q – Savagery

  • Damage: 30 / 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 (+ 100 / 103.75 / 107.5 / 111.25 / 115% total AD) ⇒ 20 / 55 / 90 / 125 / 160 (+ 105% total AD)
  • Ferocity Damage: 30 – 235 (based on level) (+130% total AD) ⇒ 35 – 240 (based on level) (+120% total AD)

12) Rumble

Base Stats

R – The Equalizer

  • Maximum Damage: 700 / 1050 / 1400 ⇒ 600 / 1000 / 1400

13) Swain

W – Vision of Empire

  • Slow: 50 / 55 / 60 / 65 / 70% ⇒ 50% at all ranks

R – Demonic Ascension

  • Damage per Second Scaling: 5% AP ⇒ 4% AP
  • Demonflare Damage Scaling: 50% AP ⇒ 40% AP
  • Demonflare Slow: 75% ⇒ 50%

14) Syndra

W – Force of Will

  • Base Damage: 70 / 105 / 140 / 175 / 210 ⇒ 70 / 100 / 130 / 160 / 190

R – Unleashed Power

  • Base Damage: 90 / 130 / 170 ⇒ 80 / 120 / 160

15) Twitch

Base Stats

  • Health Growth: 104 ⇒ 98
  • Armor Growth: 4.2 ⇒ 4

16) Zac

Q – Stretching Strikes

  • Damage per Hit: 40 / 55 / 70 / 85 / 100 (+ 30% AP) (+ 3% of Zac’s maximum health) ⇒ 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 / 180 (+ 30% AP) (+ 3% of Zac’s bonus health)

R – Let’s Bounce!

  • Initial Base Damage: 140 / 210 / 280 ⇒ 120 / 190 / 260
  • Maximum Base Damage: 350 / 525 / 700 ⇒ 300 / 475 / 650

All champion adjustments in League of Legends patch 26.4

1) Lee Sin

W – Iron Will

  • Spell Vamp No More: Lee Sin W2 grants Life Steal and Spell Vamp.
  • Lee Sin is unable to heal with W2 and Smite on either minions, jungle monsters, or Champions ⇒ Lee Sin W2 grants Omnivamp, which will apply to minions, monsters, and Champions.

2) Ryze

R – Realm Warp

  • All Aboard: No longer refuses to grab a champion if they’re currently pathing out of the circle while near the edge.

3) Senna

Q – Piercing Darkness

  • Damage: 30 / 60 / 90 / 120 / 150 (+ 40% bonus AD) ⇒ 30 / 55 / 80 / 105 / 130 (+ 60% bonus AD)

W – Last Embrace

  • Damage: 70 / 115 / 160 / 205 / 250 (+ 70% bonus AD) ⇒ 70 / 110 / 150 / 190 / 230 (+ 90% bonus AD)

System changes in League of Legends patch 26.4

Item changes in League of Legends patch 26.4

1) ZHexoptics C44

  • Range for Maximum Bonus Damage: 600 ⇒ 500
  • Bonus Range on Takedown Duration: 6 ⇒ 8 seconds

Also read: New, returning, and updated items in League of Legends Season 16.


Summoner Spell changes in League of Legends patch 26.4

1) Omnivamp on Summoner Spells (Smite/Ignite)

  • Omnivamp will no longer apply to Smite and Ignite damage.”

Check out more League of Legends news and updates: