The Vikings will have a new quarterback under center to start the 2024 season, as Cousins and Minnesota were unable to agree on a new contract, resulting in the veteran quarterback leaving to sign with the Falcons in free agency.

Once the free agent signing period begins on Wednesday afternoon, Cousins' time with the Vikings will officially be over. He exits having made more money than any player in team history, and leaves Minnesota poised to sign a contract with more guaranteed money than the Vikings seemed willing to give him coming off a torn Achilles at age 35.

The Falcons immediately targeted Cousins after missing out on the playoffs due in part to poor quarterback play, the same situation the Vikings faced after their signal caller suffered a season-ending tear to his Achilles. Minnesota was in a tough financial spot with Cousins.

There was no personal animus in his decision to leave. Simply, it was business. And as much as Cousins’s arrival in Atlanta felt great—the same way landing in Minneapolis did six years ago—the good feelings Cousins had for the Vikings made it a tad bittersweet.