Adam Schefter Weighs in on Kirk Cousins Trade Rumors
If the Minnesota Vikings trade Kirk Cousins to the New York Jets or anywhere, it’ll be an unforeseen transaction for ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Vikings sank to 0-3 on Sunday, losing to the winless Los Angeles Chargers at home and putting an early dagger into their own playoff chances.
Adam Schefter Weighs in on Kirk Cousins Trade Rumors
Naturally, before and after Minnesota’s Week 3 loss, Cousins had become the subject of speculative trade rumors, especially after Aaron Rodgers was injured for the Jets four plays into the 2023 season. Cousins’ Vikings losing games has only intensified the speculation, although the Vikings front office has never even remotely acknowledged any interest in trading its QB1.
But the internet doesn’t care about realism, nor does sportstalk media. Cousins-to-the-Jets has seized all quarterback trade rumors and probably won’t relent until the NFL’s trade deadline, which is Halloween.
The problem, though, is that no one credible actually believes Cousins will be traded to New York. It’s just what-ifs and rumors. The aforementioned Schefter weighed in on the topic via The Pat McAfee Show after the Vikings loss, “There’s nothing to that right now. But the Vikings are 0-3 and they made a decision where it certainly looks like they’re going in a different direction than Kirk Cousins next year.”
Cousins’ contract expires after the 2023 season.
“That’s the one that, honestly, is a logical fit for both sides, if the Vikings want to do that. At that point they’re punting on their season. Who are they turning it over to? Nick Mullens? What are you doing if you’re the Vikings? It would send a bad message if you send Kirk Cousins away at this point in time,” Schefter continued.
If the Vikings trade Cousins to the Jets, they couldn’t grab a high-round draft pick until 2025 (until the stipulations of the Rodgers trade finalize).
Schefter concluded, “Once you trade him, you’re punting on the season. Which, by the way, if you’re 0-5, if you’re 1-6, or something to that effect, I don’t have a problem doing that and getting in the quarterback derby. They need a guy anyway, next year. It’s a great draft of quarterbacks. You get extra draft pick compensation.”
Perhaps the Vikings could explore a Cousins trade if they hit the 0-5 or 1-6 record, so 2-4 weeks from now. At the moment, they may still believe they can save the season, which would be next to impossible without Cousins.
Moreover, which Super Bowl-contending team would need a quarterback in one month? A Super Bowl-contending team without a good quarterback doesn’t really exist unless teams are ravaged by injury. The San Francisco 49ers might be the only team that would realistically acquire Cousins if Brock Purdy got hurt.
Feel free to daydream about a Cousins trade for oodles of draft capital, but it’s probably just a fantasy.
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,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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