Kirk Cousins
The Minnesota Vikings survived a frenzied Pittsburgh Steelers rally on Thursday night, winning in Week 14 by a score of 34-26.
That was the last transaction between the two teams. According to some proliferating chatter, the next activity among the franchises could be a trade of quarterback Kirk Cousins to Pittsburgh this offseason.
The Vikings are heading toward a foundational crossroads, finishing a 2021 season in which the team currently holds an underwhelming 6-7 record. Most folks in Minnesota’s orbit surmised the team would be significantly better than an upside-down record through 14 weeks. But no such luck.
Therefore, if the Vikings do not effectuate a late playoff push, the head coach, general manager, or quarterback could be on the move this spring. That’s what happens when a product grows stale. Of course, Minnesota can avoid all of this by winning the next six or so games. But that remains to be seen.
If Cousins does exit-stage-left, some pundits believe the Steelers organization is a prime spot. Pittsburgh should, in theory, have the cap space. And its quarterback is winding down his career. In 2021, Ben Roethlisberger is phenomenal in the 4th Quarter of games — but that’s it. During the first three quarters, Roethlisberger has performed terribly.
It is unlikely that Roethlisberger plays in Pittsburgh — or anywhere — next season. The gas tank is near empty.
On the upcoming cap space for the Steelers, here are the specs.
Ironically, $35 million is close to exactly what would be needed to acquire Cousins (plus draft picks, of course). Cousins will carry an infamous $45 million cap hit into the 2022 season, and Minnesota would likely be on the hook for $10 million of that sum if it traded the quarterback.
Along with Derek Carr from the Las Vegas Raiders, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor speculates Cousins to Pittsburgh as a sensible theory:
“Two other tradable veteran quarterbacks to keep an eye on are Carr and Cousins, who both have one year left on their deals. Both the Raiders and the Vikings appear at a crossroads with their respective quarterbacks and coaching staffs. The Raiders (6-5) already fired Jon Gruden, while Vikings coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman are approaching the hot seat with the Vikings sitting at 5-6. If ownership decides to start fresh in either situation, the Steelers could make a play for Cousins or Carr, although Cousins is the most expensive of the bunch.”
While it might be silly for the Vikings to trade Cousins — he ranks fifth in the NFL in touchdown passes since joining the team, and that doesn’t grow on trees — a hypothetical new general manager could explore a clean slate, entailing a look at rookie Kellen Mond or a new prospect from the 2022 NFL Draft class at quarterback.
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Minnesota’s general manager is the hinge for this scenario. If the Vikings ownership retains Rick Spielman, he’d probably keep Cousins, extend his contract by a year or two, and find a non-Mike Zimmer coach to win with “his guys.” Yet, all bets are off if Spielman is terminated.
Other teams to monitor inside a Cousins Sweepstakes? The Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (if Tom Brady retires), and New York Giants.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).