One Vikings Trade Idea Probably Isn’t Worth It
Throughout some quarterback adversity for the Minnesota Vikings in September and October, many have claimed the purple team should trade for Kirk Cousins, a backup quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons. The problem? Sunday proved — yet again — that idea isn’t very worthwhile.
There’s a trade idea circulating for the Vikings, and after a Week 8 update, the theory should probably just go away for good. Not worth it.
Cousins struggled profusely against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8 — a team he should have dominated. The likelihood of him returning to Minnesota via emergency trade feels low — and horribly dumb, in general.
Former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Did Not Impress in Week 8
Cousins may be nearing the end.
Falcons Embarrassingly Lose; QB1 Doesn’t Help
Cousins did virtually nothing during his team’s loss to the Dolphins.
Yahoo‘s Jay Busbee wrote, “If the Atlanta Falcons were looking for verification that they made the right move in switching from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr., they found it Sunday. If the Falcons were looking for anything approaching optimism on the rest of the season, it was nowhere to be seen in Atlanta’s 34-10 loss to the not-so-hapless Miami Dolphins.”
“So often an accurate passer and reliable field general in prior seasons, Cousins was neither Sunday. His timing was off, his touch was nonexistent, and he managed to get the ball into Miami territory of the field only two times in the first three-plus quarters. One of those drives ended with a field goal, and the other with an uncharacteristic Bijan Robinson fumble.”
Cousins completed 21 passes on 31 attempts for 173 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Atlanta was 2 for 11 on 3rd Down, and lost 34-10.
Terrible.
Cousins Has Bijan Robinson, Too, the Best RB in NFL
Cousins apologists — do they still exist? — might be quick to bury the performance with an excuse or two. But there’s not much whataboutism in Atlanta. The Falcons employ Bijan Robinson at running back, and next to arguably Jonathan Taylor, Robinson is the league’s best and most productive tailback.
Atlanta provided Cousins a forum to show that he still had gas in the tank, perhaps putting him on display before the league’s trade deadline, which is eight days away.
Yet, even with Robinson behind him and a chance to showcase his age-37 tools, Cousins crumbled.
Trade Was Unlikely in the First Place
Not for nothing, the Vikings pulling off a deal for Cousins was a long shot to begin with, a theory widely distributed, but one that didn’t make much sense.
Minnesota’s salary cap is not a friendly playground at the moment, and it will not improve in the 2026 offseason. The Vikings moved all the chips into the middle of the table this season. Cash is scant.
Trading for Cousins and his $57.5 million cap hit in 2026 and his $57.5 million cap hit in 2027 made no sense whatsoever. What’s more, would general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah really trade for Cousins a few days before J.J. McCarthy returned to the lineup after a high ankle sprain? Of course not.
McCarthy is about the future. Cousins is a relic.
Sink or Swim with J.J. McCarthy
Speaking of McCarthy, next weekend is his time.
Sadly, Minnesota will count on McCarthy reviving the 2025 season, following a rock-bottom performance in Week 8 at the Los Angeles Chargers. The loss was so terrible that, for the very first time, a few Vikings fans began to ponder Kevin O’Connell’s termination. Until last week, O’Connell had an approximate 98% approval rating.
That changed with a lifeless showing by his team at SoFi Stadium.
So, with the team nearing futility at 3-4, with a wickedly difficult schedule upcoming, Minnesota will sink or swim with McCarthy. That’s just the way it is, and it’s another reason why Cousins isn’t needed. It’s McCarthy’s time to develop.
More on Cousins’ Horror Show
Outkick‘s Dan Zaksheske wrote Sunday, “Kirk Cousins needs to retire after embarrassing performance against the Dolphins. I am a long-time defender of Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins. He was a very underappreciated quarterback throughout his career, particularly during his time in Washington and Minnesota. However, even the most ardent Cousins’ defender has to admit the obvious: his NFL career is over.”
“Falcons’ starting quarterback Michael Penix missed Sunday’s game against Miami with an injury, which thrust Cousins back into the job that he lost last season.”
Atlanta will play the New England Patriots next weekend, likely entailing a week of quarterback uncertainty.
“On paper, it was the perfect opportunity for the 37-year-old veteran to prove that he could still play at a high level. After all, the Dolphins’ defense has been one of the worst in the NFL this season. Miami entered Week 8 with a 1-6 record, having allowed an average of 29 points per game to opponents. But the cure for a struggling defense is a Kirk Cousins-led offense, apparently,” Zaksheske added.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if Cousins filed his retirement paperwork with the NFL on Sunday. Well, I would, but only because the Falcons still owe him a ton of money for the 4-year, $180 million contract he signed prior to the 2024 season. Cousins is going to collect his cash, as he should, but he shouldn’t see the field ever again.”
Cousins spent six seasons in Minnesota, taking the club to the postseason twice and helping to fetch one playoff win.
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