MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – OCTOBER 08: Kirk Cousins #8 of the Minnesota Vikings calls a play during the second quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at U.S. Bank Stadium on October 08, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has reportedly decided on his next team with free agency just nine days away from officially opening.

According to a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the four-time Pro Bowler is set to move his family to Atlanta, Georgia. That’s a clear indicator that he’ll be signing with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency:

“We can’t get into the specifics, for now. But we’re getting very credible indications that Cousins is seriously considering moving his family to Atlanta. Which would mean, obviously, that he’d be signing with the Falcons.

The Falcons have always been the top alternative to the Vikings for Cousins, who becomes an unrestricted free agent next Wednesday. And for good reason. His wife, Julie, grew up in nearby Alpharetta, Georgia. Her parents still live there.

The Vikings have, by all appearances, decided they want to keep Cousins, but only at their price. They seem to think he won’t get a better offer elsewhere. If he does, they seem to be content to let him go.”

Nothing is official at this time, and as Florio noted, the Vikings still have time to up their offer to the veteran quarterback. After all, Mike Evans just signed an extension with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following reports that he was fully planning to test free agency.

But it definitely seems like the Vikings seem ready to move on from Cousins, who’ll be 36 years of age next season. He also comes with plenty of risk, having suffered a season-ending torn Achilles late last season.

And with Minnesota winning just a single playoff games over their six seasons with Captain Kirk, it simply feels like an ideal time for both parties to move on. By going to the Falcons, Cousins would automatically be the best QB in a weak NFC South, with Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson and Drake London as his top weapons.

Cousins would be in better position to win with the Falcons compared to a Vikings team that has to deal with Jared Goff, Jordan Love and (likely) Caleb Williams in the NFC North. But again, nothing can be made official for nine days, so stay tuned.