New Vikings Rumors Build around Kirk Cousins to Packers, the KOC-Kwesi Theory, D.J. Reader

The NFL Draft is 26 days away, and the Minnesota Vikings have nine picks. With the event so close, the rumor mill stays quite loud, and this is the first batch of the weekend.

The rumor mill hit Kirk Cousins, KOC, and D.J. Reader in one swing.

It focuses on a former Vikings quarterback’s connection to a rival, a hypothesis about what got Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, and a defensive tackle option in free agency.

Latest Vikings Chatter Covers Three Very Different Angles

The Purple Rumor Mill for Saturday, March 28th.

Rumor: Kirk Cousins is an ideal free-agent fit for the Packers.

Matt Schneidman of The Athletic analyzed free agents for Green Bay this week, and Cousins was mentioned.

He explained, “Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love and Malik Willis have all been backup quarterbacks for the Packers. All three could be starting in the NFL come September. Green Bay really values the position, which might make it unlikely that Desmond Ridder or Kyle McCord — the only other quarterbacks on the roster besides Love — are in the No. 2 role come Week 1.”

“The idea of adding a proven veteran like Cousins, who can at least help the Packers tread water if Love goes down, might entice head coach Matt LaFleur. Cousins might (understandably) want to sign with a team whose starter is less entrenched than Love, but perhaps the idea of reuniting with his position coach from his first two years in the NFL (LaFleur) entices him, too.”

Green Bay has also visited the recent rumor mill for an Anthony Richardson trade.

Either way, because of the Matt LaFleur connection — LaFleur was Cousins’s first quarterback coach in Washington 14 years ago — Cousins to Wisconsin cannot be ruled out.

Rumor: Kevin O’Connell was denied every step of the way last offseason at quarterback.

Mike Florio, the boss at Pro Football Talk, led the way with this theory last week.

He said, “As I understand it, O’Connell got overruled. He wanted to have Sam Darnold or Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers, and he got overruled. They said no to Rodgers. Rodgers wanted to play for them last year, and they said no. They’re sticking with J.J. McCarthy. And Jones is really the one that I think gulled O’Connell the most, because I think they thought they had something special with Jones.”

“They fired the GM because he had Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and an interested Aaron Rodgers in the building, and he said,” No, we’re good with J.J. McCarthy, and Max Brosmer and Carson Wentz are gonna be his backups. They’re not going to make the same mistake twice.”

This one actually makes sense, especially for explaining the timing of Adofo-Mensah’s firing — five days after the Seattle Seahawks reached the Super Bowl, led by Darnold.

Darnold silenced his doubters in Seattle, proving his strong 2024 season in Minnesota was no fluke. He led the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory in 2025, a feat the Vikings have been chasing for 65 years.

In Indianapolis, Jones emerged as an early MVP candidate before his performance waned in November. A torn Achilles tendon cut his season short, and despite this, rumors surfaced that Minnesota hoped to bring him back in 2025. Ultimately, Jones chose to try the Colts, betting on a starting role under Shane Steichen — a decision that proved prescient.

Meanwhile, Rodgers guided the Steelers to the playoffs, though their run ended in the first round, marking the end of Mike Tomlin’s tenure. Despite the early exit, Pittsburgh secured a playoff berth, while Minnesota narrowly missed out.

If Florio is correct, every quarterback option O’Connell wanted would have led to success.

Rumor: The Vikings should sign DT D.J. Reader.

Reader got the shoulder tap from Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox on a late-March free-agent list, and he claimed that Reader should pick the Vikings or Dallas Cowboys for his 2026 plan.

Knox explained, “D.J. Reader will turn 32 this summer and isn’t the sort of attacking interior pass-rusher that many teams want at defensive tackle. However, he remains a high-end starter, a legitimate force against the run, and a very durable defender. Reader would be a great addition for the Dallas Cowboys, who traded away Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas.”

“He could serve as a run-stuffing specialist behind Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams to help boost a defense that allowed 4.7 yards per carry in 2025. The Minnesota Vikings should also take a long look at their former division rival. Minnesota released defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in cap-saving moves earlier this offseason. Best Fits: Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings.”

Reader is a damn steady defensive tackle, similar to former Vikings defender Dalvin Tomlinson of yesteryear. He would look great in purple for a couple of seasons. Minnesota almost never showcases a true nose tackle. That would change with Reader.