Championship AFC East team currently out on Kirk Cousins according to report

According to a recent report, the New England Patriots are not currently one of the teams interested in signing Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason.

We are now in the month of March, which means in less than two weeks, we are probably going to find out whether or not Kirk Cousins is returning to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2024 season.

If Cousins winds up parting with the Vikings this year, it doesn't sound like the New England Patriots could be one of his potential landing spots.

Despite their need for a quarterback upgrade this offseason, the Patriots "have not yet shown interest in Cousins," according to the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed on Friday.

Chances of Kirk Cousins leaving the Minnesota Vikings for the New England Patriots seem low

Following their decision to release veteran cornerback J.C. Jackon on Friday, New England currently has more than $101 million in cap space heading into free agency later this month.

That is more than enough money to make an enticing offer to Cousins, but it sounds like the Patriots are more interested in a younger quarterback who will also be a free agent this year.

After spending the 2023 season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield is a free agent for the second year in a row. Kyed pointed out that, unlike Cousins, Mayfield has a number of connections in New England, including new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and the team's director of scouting, Eliot Wolf.

Mayfield is also seven years younger than Cousins, and he's not coming off of a season-ending torn Achilles injury. However, the longtime Vikings quarterback has been more consistent with his on-field performance throughout his career than Mayfield has.

With the No. 3 selection in this year's NFL Draft, New England could also just pass on signing both of these veteran quarterbacks and use their first-round pick on one of the top 2024 passing prospects.

Even with this recent report, the Patriots shouldn't be completely ruled out as a possible landing spot for Cousins this offseason. But it seems like, for now, New England's focus isn't on signing the current Minnesota quarterback.