Cousins (Achilles) said during his introductory news conference as a member of the Falcons on Wednesday that he's "optimistic to be full speed at practice" by the end of the offseason program in June, Tori McElhaney of the Falcons' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Considering Cousins suffered a torn right Achilles on Oct. 29 during a Week 8 win at Green Bay, he may be hard-pressed to be completely healthy once Atlanta completes mandatory minicamp. More realistically, he'll be able to handle most of the first-team reps during training camp and even get some run in the preseason as he transitions to the third team of his career. When he's healthy, Cousins will have all the skill talent at his disposal in the form of RBs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts. All four players have exactly one campaign with at least 900 yards from scrimmage, which should help Cousins dabble with 4,000-plus passing yards like he did seven times in eight seasons from 2015 through 2022.

Cousins (Achilles) is signing a four-year contract with the Falcons, according to agent Mike McCartney at Vayner Sports.

EDGE Analysis

The Falcons were rumored to represent Minnesota's strongest competition for the 35-year-old QB and apparently won the bidding within the first three hours of the free-agent negotiating period. Cousins can't sign a contract until Wednesday afternoon, and it might take a bit longer than that to become official given the possible complication of his rehab from a torn Achilles' tendon. The injury is less of a concern for a pocket passer than for other NFL players, but it may nonetheless impact Cousins' participation in offseason practices under new Falcons coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. The signing is excellent news for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, and it also bodes well for RB Bijan Robinson's continued involvement as a receiver. Cousins won't necessarily have the deepest group of pass catchers in Atlanta, but he'll have high-end talent and a strong offensive line. The Vikings, meanwhile, are left without a starting QB and figure to take a look at both veteran and rookie options.

Cousins (Achilles) is expected to begin negotiating with the Falcons when the legal tampering period begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rumors have connected the two parties for the past couple weeks, and it sounds like the Falcons may be willing to outbid the Vikings for Cousins' services. It's also possible the Vikings up their offer in the presence of a real threat, and Cousins may even give the team an opportunity to match any offer he receives. Whatever the case, Atlanta needs to be taken seriously as a contender for Cousins' services. His presence under center would be a huge fantasy boost for WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts, with RB Bijan Robinson possibly benefiting quite a bit as well.

Cousins (Achilles) is expected to test the free-agent market this week, though his agent and the Vikings remain in contact, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

"The Vikings are still in this," Pelissero added. But the Falcons and Broncos were two teams mentioned as possible destinations should Cousins ultimately leave Minnesota. Teams are permitted to speak with free agents from other teams starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on Monday. Cousins is expected to command a contract that averages more than $40 million per year.

Cousins, who is recovering from a torn right Achilles' tendon, posted a video Monday which showed him backpedaling and throwing recently in an indoor tennis facility, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins, whose 2023 season came to an end when he sustained the season-ending injury Oct. 29, noted in his social media post that he was "encouraged by the progress" he's made thus far. He's eligible to become a free agent next month and said earlier in February that he's on track with his recovery and expects to participate in OTAs and minicamp this spring. According to Seifert, the Vikings and Cousins have mutual interest in a reunion, but for now, the 35-year-old profiles as the best available option at his position ahead of NFL free agency.

Cousins (Achilles) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from surgery and should resume throwing within the next month or so, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins had surgery on his torn Achilles' tendon Nov. 1 and isn't likely to participate in spring practices even if he resumes throwing soon. He does seem better equipped than most football players to rebound from the injury, considering he's a pocket-based QB who has averaged just 6.6 rushing yards per game in six seasons with the Vikings. Cousins' rehab from surgery will actually be a secondary storyline this offseason, as he's scheduled for unrestricted free agency and not considered a lock to re-sign in Minnesota.

Cousins (Achilles) announced Tuesday via social media that he had his cast removed from his right foot, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins will ditch the cast just under two weeks after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon. The 35-year-old quarterback will face a lengthy rehab process, but if he's able to avoid any setbacks in the next several months, he could receive full medical clearance for training camp, if not OTAs. Whether Cousins will be taking part in offseason work with the Vikings or another team is up in the air, as he's scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Cousins announced Wednesday via social media that he underwent successful surgery to repair his torn right Achilles' tendon.

EDGE Analysis

Cousins is already on the road to recovery after having suffered a season-ending Achilles tear during Sunday's win over the Packers. According to The Athletic, full healing of an Achilles' tendon typically takes about 4-to-6 months, and given his age, the 35-year-old quarterback could need more time beyond that period before he's cleared for high-impact football activities. In any case, Cousins should have a chance at being ready to go when NFL training camps open next July, but as a pending unrestricted free agent, it remains to be seen whether he'll stick around in Minnesota or land elsewhere. For the immediate future, the Vikings will turn to rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall to replace Cousins as their starting quarterback Week 9 at Atlanta. The Vikings also acquired a more experienced quarterback in Joshua Dobbs from the Cardinals on Tuesday, giving the team an alternative under center if Hall doesn't prove to be NFL ready.

The Vikings placed Cousins (Achilles) on injured reserve Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

The transaction is merely a formality, as an MRI confirmed Monday that Cousins suffered a torn right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over Green Bay, ending the quarterback's season. According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell added that Cousins is slated to undergo surgery later this week, but assuming the 35-year-old has no complications with his procedure, he could be ready for full football activities when NFL training camps open next July. Since Cousins is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, it's unclear whether he'll return to Minnesota for a seventh season or explore his options elsewhere. Rookie fifth-round pick Jaren Hall appears set to make his first NFL start in Cousins' stead Week 9 at Atlanta, but Minnesota acquired a more experienced signal-caller in Joshua Dobbs from Arizona on Tuesday and could turn the offense over to him at some point in the second half of the season if Hall struggles.

The Vikings announced Monday that Cousins will miss the rest of the season after an MRI confirmed that he tore his right Achilles' tendon in Sunday's win over the Packers.

EDGE Analysis

The news come as little surprise, as multiple reports suggested that Cousins suffered an Achilles tear shortly after he exited in the fourth quarter with the injury. A timeline and details for Cousins' surgery will be determined later this week, but the 35-year-old will be done for the season and may not be guaranteed to be back to 100 percent health for NFL training camps next summer. Jaren Hall replaced Cousins late in Sunday's game, but the Vikings haven't determined whether the rookie fifth-round pick will start Week 9 at Atlanta. Cousins, meanwhile, is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.