Vikings + Trey Lance Rumors Explode — Again

Trey Lance Mania
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.

They rise; they die down — they’re like a zombie.

Minnesota Vikings + San Francisco 49ers trade rumors cannot be killed, and in fact, ramped up Wednesday, with just eight days before the 2023 NFL Draft.

Vikings + Trey Lance Rumors Explode — Again

Oodles of components surround unrelenting Vikings-49ers trade rumors, but these are the major contributing factors:

  1. Kirk Cousins has one year left on his Vikings contract.
  2. The 49ers head coach loves Kirk Cousins.
  3. 49ers quarterbacks always get hurt, and Cousins does not.
  4. A 49ers quarterback, Trey Lance, is from Minnesota.
  5. Some Vikings fans lust for Cousins to be off the team.
  6. Cousins could probably win a Super Bowl in San Francisco.
  7. Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah used to work for the 49ers.
  8. The Vikings haven’t ruled out finding a quarterback now for life after Cousins.
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings-49ers trade rumor mill is a beast that doesn’t sleep, and Pro Football Talk ensured it’s very much awake. First, though, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted Wednesday morning, “Sources: The 49ers have received inquiries from several teams looking into a potential trade for former No. 3 pick QB Trey Lance. The conversations have been the result of SF fielding the calls, not making them, with teams aware that Brock Purdy is likely the future starter.”

Then, PFT‘s Mike Florio followed up, “At this year’s Scouting Combine, there were rumors of a potential Kirk Cousins trade from Minnesota to San Francisco. Those rumors may have come from the reality that the 49ers and Vikings had discussions about another quarterback.”

Vikings Fans Have Majority
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“Per a league source, the two teams talked about Trey Lance. The source doesn’t know whether that’s currently happening. The Vikings have since restructured the Cousins contract. They’d take a significant cap hit ($38 million) if the Vikings trade Cousins before June 1. But the Vikings need an answer for 2024, and beyond. It’s unclear whether they truly think Lance could be the answer,” Florio continued.

Since Cousins joined the Vikings in 2018, he ranks fourth in touchdown passes and fifth in passing yards, but a sizeable section of the team’s fanbase believes that production is readily replaceable.

Florio concluded, “Lance is available. Whether it’s the Vikings or someone else (like the Titans or the Texans), Lance could have a new home for 2023. For his sake, he needs one.”

Lance Rumors Explode
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.

Whether Lance is a smarter option after Cousins than a 2023 rookie like Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, or Hendon Hooker is debatable. Lance hasn’t done much in the NFL, but folks know the 49ers adored him — at one point — and traded a king’s ransom for the North Dakota State alumnus two years ago.

Long-time Minnesotan Adam Thielen left town about a month ago, so firing up an immediate hometown tale is indeed intriguing.

But for the rumor mill’s sake, Vikings fans must ponder if Lance’s sexy upside is a better plan than Cousins’ guaranteed production at age 35 and beyond.

Lance turns 23 in May. He’s younger than the aforementioned Levis and Hooker.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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