<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Three years ago, after a long but loveless marriage, the Minnesota Vikings let QB Kirk Cousins walk out the door. They felt <a href="https://defector.com/kirkwatch-i-am-free">free</a>. Unburdened. <em>Hopeful</em>, even. No longer would they have to spend night after night asking themselves, “Where is this relationship going?” They could finally find someone new. They could believe in love again, and maybe even have a bit of fun getting back out there on the scene.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That scene, much to the Vikings’ chagrin, turned out to be far less exciting than they’d anticipated. Maybe it was <a href="https://defector.com/what-use-is-kevin-oconnell">them</a>. Maybe they weren’t quite as charming and attractive as they thought they’d been. Regardless, they eventually found themselves lonely, broken, and frankly hard up. And so, with Taylor Swift’s “Style” playing on a loop in the background, they swallowed their pride, along with a good amount of red wine, and made the call they swore they’d never make. Kirk Cousins is a Viking again, and us Vikings fans feel a little bit ashamed that we let this happen all over again. That’s the subject of this week’s special Trade Deadline Edition of All Ball.</p>
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