NFL Rumors: Carolina Panthers Mapping Out Ploy To Potentially Land Kirk Cousins

A lot of NFL teams are expected to take in new pieces for next season, and quarterbacks are likely to be at the top of the list.

For teams like the Carolina Panthers, their quarterback issue has yet to be resolved.

However, that could all come to an end in the offseason, with reports that they have touched base with the Minnesota Vikings about a potential deal involving Kirk Cousins--per the report of Judd Zulgad of SKOR North.

The Panthers have been longing for a franchise quarterback in the past years and have not come close to getting one.

Cousins has delivered solid performances the past NFL seasons for the Vikings, but closing a deal for the 33-year-old play-caller will be costly.

The Barrington, Illinois native owns a fully-guaranteed salary of $35 million for 2022 and he is in the final year of his deal.

He could be retained under the franchise tag, but such would cost Minnesota $60 million.

“They have gotten a call,” Zulgad said about the Vikings inquiring about the three-time Pro Bowler. “Now, from what I’ve heard, it went nowhere so far. But it’s interesting that the phone did ring . . . and on the other end of the line . . . the Carolina Panthers.”

It should be noted that the Vikings do not appear to have immediate plans to trade Cousins despite his contract predicament.

According to Pro Football Talk, Cousins plans to follow a wait-and-see approach before deciding on his future.

As for the Panthers, landing Cousins appears to be a long shot and the inquiry may have been done out of due diligence.

So far, they have tried Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Darnold to pick up from where Cam Newton left off.

Unless they find a big quarterback name to take over, Carolina may have to stick with Darnold for now.

The Panthers owe Darnold $18.8 million for 2022.