Stupid Vikings Trade Theory Just Won’t Die
They just won’t let it go.
A stale trade idea regarding the Vikings and a certain someone is back. Here’s why it won’t die and won’t happen.
National media punditry loves to promote a Minnesota Vikings trade for Kirk Cousins, as the possibly disgruntled passer may want out of his QB2 job in Atlanta.
And despite Minnesota’s full commitment to 22-year-old J.J. McCarthy, the Cousins fodder keeps emerging.
Bleacher Report Renews the Kirk Cousins to Vikings Trade Theories
Kristopher Knox did the honors: “The 36-year-old would likely do that for a starting opportunity since he’s stuck as the backup to Michael Penix Jr. in Atlanta. As a four-time Pro Bowler who played well before suffering shoulder and elbow injuries last season, he should interest teams in need of a starter.”
“The caveat here is that there isn’t an obvious starting opportunity for Cousins. His best chance of falling into a QB1 role disappeared when the Pittsburgh Steelers (finally) signed Aaron Rodgers. The Falcons will almost certainly deal the four-time Pro Bowler for a reasonable price, and he’ll likely agree to a deal if it allows him to see the playing field. However, his trade value won’t really spike until/unless another starter is injured or a QB camp competition fails to yield a reliable starter.”
Unfortunately for Cousins, most available QB1 jobs around the league have dried up.
Knox continued, “Situations to watch include those of the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints. New Orleans lost Derek Carr to retirement and is staging a competition between Jake Haener, Spencer Rattler and rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough. The Vikings have turned to second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season following knee surgery.”
“If head coach Kevin O’Connell doesn’t believe McCarthy is ready to start toward the end of camp, he could consider adding a familiar face in Cousins. Potential Suitors: Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints.”
Why It Just Keeps Coming Back
National media members might think Minnesota’s commitment to McCarthy is flimsy, so they just say, “Oh, here’s Kirk Cousins then via trade.”
Make It Stop
This is roughly the fifth time this offseason that a notable national publication like Bleacher Report has outlined a Cousins deal to Minnesota. The narrative is as tired as it is silly.
Minnesota just offloaded him and his habitually expensive contract 15 months ago. Turning around to welcome that back on the books just doesn’t add up.
Meanwhile, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah traded for Sam Howell during the draft, who is 45 times cheaper (actually 45x cheaper) than Cousins and 12 years younger. For a general manager all about “value,” finagling a deal for Cousins seems unfathomable.
Doesn’t Add Up for Kirk Cousins
And think about Cousins’ role here.
The man wants to be a team’s QB1 in 2025. He can’t do that in Atlanta. Why would Cousins waive his no-trade clause to join Minnesota … as a QB2 behind McCarthy?
It’s a proposed lateral move for the soon-to-be 37-year-old. What’s different about the backup quarterback job in Atlanta versus Minnesota? The idea has so many holes.
Trading for Cousins Would Look Backward
There’s also the element of symbolism and philosophy. Would Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell really turn to the past while embarking on a fresh new era with youth at quarterback? Would they want the circus of a Cousins reunion?
These two leadership figures are about progressivism and the future — not reunion trades with old men.
A Wise Trade Proposal, on the Other Hand, for RR Travis Etienne
BR’s trade theories weren’t all terrible.
Knox endorsed a Travis Etienne trade to the Panthers or Cowboys and noted, “The Clemson product has been a capable dual-threat back in the past, topping 1,400 scrimmage yards in each of his first two seasons. However, he finished behind Tank Bigsby in rushing yards last season and could see his workload further reduced in 2025. Jacksonville selected two running backs, Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen Jr. in April’s draft.”
“With Etienne entering the final year of his rookie contract, the Jags could erase his entire $6.1 million cap hit by trading him. Coen might not be eager to part with him before even coaching a regular-season game.”
Tuten and Bigsby might be enough to box out Etienne for touches in a single offseason, and Etienne’s contract will expire after this year.
Knox concluded. “Jacksonville might be willing to dump him for a reasonable offer anyway. The Dallas Cowboys should already be calling about Etienne’s availability. They currently have a backfield headlined by Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders—two big question marks, given their recent production—and have shown a willingness to trade for talent post-draft. Dallas acquired wideout George Pickens from Pittsburgh on May 7.”
“While the Carolina Panthers have two capable backs in Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, they might also have some interest in Etienne. Carolina drafted his younger brother, Trevor Etienne, in April and employs running backs coach Bernie Parmalee. Parmalee was Jacksonville’s running backs coach during Etienne’s two best seasons. Potential Suitors: Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys.”
If Minnesota fires off any trades later this summer, don’t expect Cousins to be the prioritized target. The purple team would also have to swallow some of his behemoth contract.
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