Latest on Kirk Cousins continues to point to a Vikings exit in 2024

The Minnesota Vikings reportedly aren't offering the type of contract that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is looking to sign this offseason.

Time is winding down for the Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins to agree to a new contract before the quarterback can begin negotiating with other teams on March 11.

During the last few weeks at this year's NFL Scouting Combine, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah have stated multiple times that they would like to bring Cousins back for the 2024 season.

However, a recent report indicates that Minnesota hasn't presented the Pro Bowl quarterback with a contract offer that has included everything that he's hoping to get in his next deal.

Kirk Cousins not willing to offer Minnesota Vikings a "hometown discount"

In addition to teams getting a chance to meet with draft prospects, the annual NFL Scouting Combine also serves as an opportunity for people to learn about what the upcoming free agency period could potentially look like across the league.

During this year's Scouting Combine, ESPN's Dan Graziano recently shared the following about what he heard about Cousins' chances of returning to the Vikings for another season.

"The sense I'm getting is Minnesota still wants quarterback Kirk Cousins to return, but Cousins has a very specific idea in mind for what he wants in a new contract, and the Vikings so far have not made an offer that matches it. The ball might be in the team's court at this point.

Cousins and his family like Minnesota and would be happy to stay and finish his career there, but it doesn't sound like he's willing to offer the team a hometown discount."

Graziano also shared which team will likely attempt to sign Cousins in free agency this year if he doesn't re-sign with Minnesota.

"I expect the Falcons to make a strong pursuit [to sign Cousins]. I have been told by multiple sources this week that signing Cousins -- not trading for Justin Fields -- is the Falcons' top QB solution, assuming Cousins makes it to free agency."

The rumors of the Atlanta Falcons having an interest in signing Cousins this offseason certainly picked up a bunch of steam during the last few days at the Scouting Combine, and Graziano's comments will only add to the speculation.

From everything that has been reported and what O'Connell and Adofo-Mensah have said during the last few days, it has sounded like the Vikings thought Cousins wasn't going to get enough interest in free agency to cause him to leave Minnesota.

But that plan seems to be backfiring, and if Cousins actually does end up signing with a new team this offseason, the Vikings will have to look for a new starting quarterback for the first time since 2018.