Forum The Longship Kirko to back-up Love?

Kirko to back-up Love?

purplefaithful
Joined May 2013
3,491 posts
Rep: 4,151

Speculation....Makes some sense with Willis gone and LaFleur & Kirk go back to DC together...

================================

Currently, the Packers have quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Kyle McCord on their roster behind Love. However, neither has a reputation for success that the NFL level and many wonder if Green Bay may want to add a veteran quarterback who would provide more certain security.

That being said, Willis did not have a good reputation as a successful NFL quarterback when the Packers first acquired him.

Still, there have been suggestions thrown out that Green Bay may look into signing four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins to backup Love. General manager Brian Gutekunst addressed this suggestion earlier this week, per Matt Schneidman:

“We’ve discussed a lot of those options. Obviously, that’s a guy who’s got a lot of pelts on the wall in this league, so we’ve certainly discussed all those kind of things, and we’ll see where it goes.”

Obviously, this is an intriguing idea because of how successful Cousins had been, overall, in his NFL career. He is also familiar with the Packers thanks to his tenure with the rival Minnesota Vikings.

Beyond that, though, Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur was Cousins’ first quarterbacks coach dating back to their days in Washington.

It remains to be seen who exactly will end up as Love’s backup in 2026. Cousins is a free agent and likely is headed for a backup role wherever he goes. Him ending up with the Packers may be a stretch, but it is far from impossible.

Source: Wisportsheroics

Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger! 

#1 · Apr 1, 11:31 AM
JimmyinSD
JimmyinSD
Admin
Joined May 2013
1,756 posts
Rep: 1,869
MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/bykevinclark/status/2039710482169286689?s=20

you got to think in hindsight that he would have signed a smaller/shorter deal to stay in minny and mentor JJM dont you?

Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?

#22 · Apr 2, 7:43 AM
MaroonBells
Joined Jan 2014
3,235 posts
Rep: 4,468
JimmyinSD wrote:

you got to think in hindsight that he would have signed a smaller/shorter deal to stay in minny and mentor JJM dont you?

Maybe

#23 · Apr 2, 8:09 AM
StickierBuns
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1


Kirko to the Raiders, per Schefter


I mentioned this a bit ago as the perfect setup for the Raiders and Mendoza. Kirko will be the perfect bandaid/mentor at this point in his career.

#24 · Apr 2, 8:24 AM
MA
Joined Aug 2017
398 posts
Rep: 452

I try to read most every thread posted on this site, In the last 2 years I can't say I've seen 1 person say they miss Cousins.....

it seems like Viking Fans know Cousins game and his limits and no one misses him.

#25 · Apr 2, 8:59 AM
greediron
greediron
Mod
Joined May 2013
681 posts
Rep: 797
Zanary wrote:

Yep...all this time later, and he was obviously about to be clobbered as he threw, and after his previous pass had been dropped.

The anger over that was, and is, bizarre to me. The frustration I get, but with the defender a nanosecond from mauling him...right there on replay...I don't get some people.

Kirk actually talked about that, he wanted that 3rd down throw back, he said if he leads Wright just a bit, it would have been a completion rather than a PBU.

And that game was all on Donatell and his non-existent D.

#26 · Apr 2, 9:00 AM
Zanary
Joined May 2013
1,047 posts
Rep: 674
Mattyman wrote:
I try to read most every thread posted on this site, In the last 2 years I can't say I've seen 1 person say they miss Cousins.....

it seems like Viking Fans know Cousins game and his limits and no one misses him.

I've been very clear, repeatedly, that I thought he did a helluva job behind tragic protection, and also with a head coach the first few years that was a hateful, petulant little b***h.

I miss him, and continue to wish him well (when he's not playing us).

He threw the balls that got JJ most of his legendary status...and also was huge for the careers of Thielen, Rudolph, Addison, Hock, etc.

He wasn't perfect, dunno what that'd even look like...but, he did a ton for the Vikings while his protection was rated among the worst, as was the defense for 3 straight seasons.

greediron wrote:

Kirk actually talked about that, he wanted that 3rd down throw back, he said if he leads Wright just a bit, it would have been a completion rather than a PBU.

And that game was all on Donatell and his non-existent D.

He definitely couldn't see anything to his left but oncoming pain.

edited Apr 2, 2026 9:18 AM

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

#27 · Apr 2, 9:17 AM
purplefaithful
Joined May 2013
3,491 posts
Rep: 4,151

Kirko (rightly or wrongly) will forever be labeled by Viking fans as $ hungry and selfish about it above all else...He never shook that label.

I didnt buy into it too much until maybe the last contract where he had an optty to help the team with guaranteed $ and choose not to.

Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger! 

#28 · Apr 2, 9:34 AM
StickierBuns
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1

Kirko! Master of Mediocrity. 1-4 playoff record. Around a 53% winning percentage as QB. But the undisputed GOAT of making the monies.

Nothing screams NFL free agency more than the above stat.

#29 · Apr 2, 10:43 AM
comet52
Joined Sep 2013
683 posts
Rep: 1,049
purplefaithful wrote:
Kirko (rightly or wrongly) will forever be labeled by Viking fans as $ hungry and selfish about it above all else...He never shook that label.

I didnt buy into it too much until maybe the last contract where he had an optty to help the team with guaranteed $ and choose not to.

I never cared about Kirk's money.  NFL careers are short and guys should get whatever teams are willing to shell out.  I just found his play at times to be frustrating.   But he actually became a little less of a dork and more likeable over time so there's that.  But I had no interest in him returning and I don't think the Vikings did either.

#30 · Apr 2, 12:31 PM
StickierBuns
Joined May 2013
5,336 posts
Rep: 1

Now we know what it would've cost to bring in Cousins as the competition QB. $20M guaranteed. Murray cost us $1.3M.


That's not QB2 money, that's starter money for 7-9 games and then enter Mendoza. Good plan for Vegas. This also isn't a 'competition', this is providing a soft entry for Mendoza. I bet they give Fernando more than 10 starts to prove himself as a Raider.

edited Apr 2, 2026 12:32 PM
#31 · Apr 2, 12:32 PM
IceRatz16
Joined Dec 2016
102 posts
Rep: 158
StickierBuns wrote:

I mentioned this a bit ago as the perfect setup for the Raiders and Mendoza. Kirko will be the perfect bandaid/mentor at this point in his career.

Even better set up in MN...

#32 · Apr 2, 12:56 PM
JimmyinSD
JimmyinSD
Admin
Joined May 2013
1,756 posts
Rep: 1,869
comet52 wrote:

I never cared about Kirk's money.  NFL careers are short and guys should get whatever teams are willing to shell out.  I just found his play at times to be frustrating.   But he actually became a little less of a dork and more likeable over time so there's that.  But I had no interest in him returning and I don't think the Vikings did either.

kirks money only bothered me in that his high dollars made it harder to spend on other areas like OL that needed to be upgraded to protect his immobile ass.  I have always maintained that if he would have left a little meat on the bone to be spent on OL and other upgrades,  he would have been able to deliver much better overall team results.

We cant pay premium money to less than premium players, no matter how bad we need to fill a positional hole.

Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?

#33 · Apr 3, 5:48 AM
Zanary
Joined May 2013
1,047 posts
Rep: 674
JimmyinSD wrote:

kirks money only bothered me in that his high dollars made it harder to spend on other areas like OL that needed to be upgraded to protect his immobile ass.  I have always maintained that if he would have left a little meat on the bone to be spent on OL and other upgrades,  he would have been able to deliver much better overall team results.

We cant pay premium money to less than premium players, no matter how bad we need to fill a positional hole.

...a couple of points on that:

1. Teams with better records and higher-profile (and pay) QBs managed to protect better than we did, and defended better much of the time, too...so "Kirk's taking too much money" never added up, especially when the kids behind him shot past $40 million/season.

2.  Kirko was top 2 in both TDs and yards when his tendon broke, and he'd produced pretty stellar numbers with his IOL among the worst; he was a premium player. Sadly, it takes the most premium team of any given season to actually win the Lombardi.

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

#34 · Apr 5, 7:07 AM
JimmyinSD
JimmyinSD
Admin
Joined May 2013
1,756 posts
Rep: 1,869
Zanary wrote:

...a couple of points on that:

1. Teams with better records and higher-profile (and pay) QBs managed to protect better than we did, and defended better much of the time, too...so "Kirk's taking too much money" never added up, especially when the kids behind him shot past $40 million/season.

2.  Kirko was top 2 in both TDs and yards when his tendon broke, and he'd produced pretty stellar numbers with his IOL among the worst; he was a premium player. Sadly, it takes the most premium team of any given season to actually win the Lombardi.

Premium QBs elevate those around them, Kirk didn't elevate the O.  He wasn't shit,  but he wasn't premium.  In his prime I dont put him top 5 at his position.

Is it a coincidence that Brady took less and the team had unparalleled success?  I dont think so.

Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?

#35 · Apr 5, 11:57 AM
Zanary
Joined May 2013
1,047 posts
Rep: 674
JimmyinSD wrote:

Premium QBs elevate those around them, Kirk didn't elevate the O.  He wasn't shit,  but he wasn't premium.  In his prime I dont put him top 5 at his position.

Is it a coincidence that Brady took less and the team had unparalleled success?  I dont think so.

Brady had a supermodel wife that potentially outearned him on a given year...something often forgotten. I saw that less as generosity than a specialized circumstance.

Hey, Kirk's agent is mercenary as f**k...but, the history of athletes burned on their deals is immense, too. I wasn't in the meetings, and neither were you. Obviously, it was seen as worthwhile by those that write the checks and shape the rosters.

Kirk set records with JJ, did great work with Thielen, Rudolph, Hock, and others, so...um...we disagree on the "elevate" thing.

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

#36 · Apr 5, 12:34 PM
JimmyinSD
JimmyinSD
Admin
Joined May 2013
1,756 posts
Rep: 1,869
Zanary wrote:

Brady had a supermodel wife that potentially outearned him on a given year...something often forgotten. I saw that less as generosity than a specialized circumstance.

Hey, Kirk's agent is mercenary as f**k...but, the history of athletes burned on their deals is immense, too. I wasn't in the meetings, and neither were you. Obviously, it was seen as worthwhile by those that write the checks and shape the rosters.

Kirk set records with JJ, did great work with Thielen, Rudolph, Hock, and others, so...um...we disagree on 

Lol,  ok. Cousins was so great that the Falcons immediately drafted a first round QB,  he was never a guy you would choose to build a franchise around,  he was just good,  but never good enough.   About the best thing you could say about him was he was tough as hell,  but with his lack of mobility and penchant for holding the ball,  he had to be.

Why isn't Chuck Foreman in the Hall of Fame?

#37 · Apr 5, 2:58 PM
greediron
greediron
Mod
Joined May 2013
681 posts
Rep: 797
Zanary wrote:

...a couple of points on that:

1. Teams with better records and higher-profile (and pay) QBs managed to protect better than we did, and defended better much of the time, too...so "Kirk's taking too much money" never added up, especially when the kids behind him shot past $40 million/season.

2.  Kirko was top 2 in both TDs and yards when his tendon broke, and he'd produced pretty stellar numbers with his IOL among the worst; he was a premium player. Sadly, it takes the most premium team of any given season to actually win the Lombardi.

That year really sucked.  It kinda looked like everything was clicking.  Kirk and KOC had a rapport, been together for a while.  The defense was looking solid.

#38 · Apr 6, 8:27 AM
Zanary
Joined May 2013
1,047 posts
Rep: 674
JimmyinSD wrote:

Lol,  ok. Cousins was so great that the Falcons immediately drafted a first round QB,  he was never a guy you would choose to build a franchise around,  he was just good,  but never good enough.   About the best thing you could say about him was he was tough as hell,  but with his lack of mobility and penchant for holding the ball,  he had to be.

Again, top 2 in both categories when he went down. We'd just beaten the same 49ers team that would be in that year's Super Bowl...

...so, yeah, "LOL" indeed.

Atlanta is now dealing with the young QB that we ALL knew was an injury risk. Kirko wasn't healed up in '24, that became painfully obvious, but I wouldn't be shocked if he did very good work with the Raiders.

Would I have built a franchise around him? If I'd had a club with a line that could protect a pocket passer, and he was in good health? Sure...but then again, my club would be about more balance than the KOC "pass pass pass pass run to confuse the defense" approach.

KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....

#39 · Apr 6, 12:09 PM
MaroonBells
Joined Jan 2014
3,235 posts
Rep: 4,468
greediron wrote:

That year really sucked.  It kinda looked like everything was clicking.  Kirk and KOC had a rapport, been together for a while.  The defense was looking solid.

Football gods came in and stepped on our dicks that year. Cousins was never better.

#40 · Apr 7, 2:52 AM
medaille
Joined Mar 2014
670 posts
Rep: 892
MaroonBells wrote:

Football gods came in and stepped on our dicks that year. Cousins was never better.

By all accounts, the plan was limp along with Cousins until we could draft a QB, so maybe the football gods gave us exactly what we were asking for.  A healthy Cousins was always going to keep us out of range for a QB, unless it was a Chiefs level trade to go get Mahomes, which may or may not have been feasible given the QB needy teams mid draft that year. #monkeyspawcurl

edited Apr 7, 2026 4:57 AM
#41 · Apr 7, 4:56 AM
Log in to reply.

Edit Post (mod action — author will see a notice)

Warn Poster

Suspend User (3 days)

The user will be suspended for 3 days and will receive an email with the reason and information about how to appeal.

Forum The Longship Kirko to back-up Love?

Welcome to VikeFans!

Welcome back, Skol fans! This is our new home. Log in with your username or email and your existing password.


Be sure to check out the How To's and Questions forum for guides on getting around the new site, and use the Help Request forum if you run into anything that you need help with. Skol!