NFL Rumors: Kirk Cousins and Vikings are 'receptive' to a 2024 return
Following Kirk Cousins' season-ending injury, the Vikings' quarterback dilemma appeared to be solved for the short-term with the Passtronaut a.k.a Josh Dobbs dominating under center lately. But what about after this season?
Cousins is set to be a free agent this offseason and has a history of securing lucrative one-year deals. Prior to the 2023 season, Cousins accumulated over $200 million in guaranteed money for the past eight years and was looking for perhaps another big pay day in March.
In light of recent circumstances, one NFL insider is already posturing that Cousins and the Vikings will reunite in 2024.
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz said both Cousins and the Vikings are "much more receptive to a return in 2024. That could potentially mean a one-year contract, I'm told."
Schultz points to the fact that Cousins has a great relationship with everyone within the Vikings organization and that there is mutual respect on both sides. At the very least, Schultz's sources say Cousins and the Vikings could "rekindle" their marriage for next season.
The Vikings didn't really have a contingency plan for losing Cousins to begin with, so getting their long-time quarterback back for one more year may serve in the franchise's (and Kirk's) best interest.
As of Week 10, the Vikings would own the No. 21 overall pick in 2024, much too low to secure a potential franchise quarterback. Rookie quarterback Jaren Hall likely won't be starting-caliber ready for next September. Reuniting with Cousins feels like the most fail-safe option for Minnesota if the team wants to stay competitive in the near future, but even then, there are plenty of looming questions.
Will Cousins be healthy in time for the start of the season? What will the Vikings do with Dobbs, also set to hit free agency in March?
Hanging onto Cousins just delays the inevitable for the Vikings. But at the same time, it seems Cousins is very much revered and loved in Minnesota, and that love will go a long way.
NFL Rumors: Is Najee Harris or Jaylen Warren the Steelers' starting RB?
This is like a classic sketch of the "Who's on first?" bit, but it's "Who's the starter?"
According to various sources, Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was reportedly announced as a starter in Week 10's game against the Packers. Yet on the Steelers' first drive, Najee Harris was spotted taking the first snap out of the backfield.
What is going on with Pittsburgh's running back room? Is this another case of Matt Canada's indecipherable offensive strategy?
Head coach Mike Tomlin tried to clear up some confusion and said after the game that Warren "deserved" to be announced with the starters.
Both Warren and Harris ended up splitting the workload in the 23-19 win over the Packers; Warren finished with 15 carries for 101 yards and one touchdown while Harris finished with 16 carries for 82 yards and one touchdown. Each running back played 33 snaps.
So far this season, Warren trumps Harris in efficiency, but by virtue of being the more established back, Harris may still be considered the team's RB1 on paper. Based on Tomlin's comments, though, the two could end up sharing a more equal snap count going into the final stretch of the season.
NFL Rumors: Mac Jones could end up on the Browns this season
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has lost the locker room. He's being berated by his coaches mid-game. To save the last shreds of his dignity, Jones should... join the Browns?
Rob Gronkowski proposed the wild notion on a Wednesday segement of the Up & Adams Show, where he said that Jones should ask for his release out of New England.
Gronk said, "If you're talking to me about what [Jones] should do, he should ask for his release. And then if it's granted, he should go sign with the Cleveland Browns and start a new career. Imagine that."
Gronk noted that he thought Jones would be a good fit in Cleveland and that the change of scenery would prove whether Jones was "the real deal" or not.
On the Browns, Jones would inherit an offense with some decent pieces: Elijah Moore, David Njoku, and a strong rushing corps led by Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt. Not to mention, Cleveland boasts one of the most complete defenses in the league and is 6-3 to start the season.
Jones would no doubt relish a fresh start after essentially living in Tom Brady's shadow in Foxboro for the last two-plus years. Would the Browns, who will be without Deshaun Watson for the rest of the year, actually want him?
Browns fans just can't catch a break. First Watson, and now potentially Jones? How about a huge helping of "No, thank you."
