After an 0-3 start to the season, many named the Vikings as a potential seller in advance of the 2023 trade deadline. Quarterback Kirk Cousins would be a notable trade chip in such a scenario, but that is not the case at this point. 
[RELATED: 49ers Were Willing To Trade No. 2 Pick For Cousins In 2017]
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reports the Vikings “have no plans” of trading the 35-year-old (subscription required). Cousins’ future in Minnesota has been in question throughout the offseason, since 2023 marks the final year of his contract. Talks on a new deal are expected to take place after the season, and he has acknowledged his play this year will go a long way in determining his free agent value on a new Vikings pact or one in a new home.
Optimism has been expressed on both sides that another short-term arrangement can be made. Cousins has played on a fully-guaranteed three-year, $84MM pact after joining the team in free agency, as well as a two-year, $66MM extension. He will make $30MM this season as a result of the restructured deal which has him on track for free agency. As a rental, there would no doubt be a number teams interested in adding him.
One of those would be the Aaron Rodgers-less Jets, of course. As Russini notes, however, New York has not called Minnesota about Cousins’ availability, and it is unlikely that will change any time soon. The Jets have signed Trevor Siemian to serve as another veteran option behind much-maligned starter Zach Wilson, but no further moves under center are expected. That increases the chances of Cousins staying put through the remainder of the campaign.
The Vikings as a whole are not committed to a seller status ahead of the deadline, meaning a number of other veterans will likely not be on the trade block in the coming weeks (at least barring a continuation of their early losing streak). Cousins – who has posted the most passing yards (1,075) and touchdowns (nine) through three games this season – is safe in Minnesota for the time being, and it will be worth watching if he can help guide the team to a rebound in October. His absence from the trade market would also no doubt have a number of effects on the rest of the league as teams begin to evaluate if they will be aggressive in pursuing help in the near future.
if this is the case then both teams are reterded
Hugh Jackman.
Cousins threw a 99-yard pick-6 in Carolina this afternoon. That by itself should shut the National Sports Media up.
The Jets may have a cap issue with trading for him. I think they only have about $8M in space.
Kirk has a no trade clause, why would he want to go to a team with less talent on the offense? The Jets somehow have a worse offensive line than the Vikes and the Vikings receiving group is light-years better.
If there’s a deal for the Jets to make and salvage the season, this would be it.
Well past the time for the Vikings to move on from Cousins.
I don’t pretend to have a plan or an answer; that’s the job of the people who are PAID to know. Clearly given the talent and opportunities he has been surrounded with it is apparent that while Kirk may be a nice guy who can put up good statistical numbers for himself, he is lacking in the “IT” factor that differentiates a quarterback from being able to get his team a close to being a champion. Time to reset. If the FO thought Cook was not worth his contract, they should realize that Cousins isn’t worth his either.
The Vikings should have followed the Packers example and got an heir in place at QB by now. Jordan Love has had time to adapt to the system in Green Bay and is making a nice transition to the starter role. The Vikings have to find a way to do the same thing or Jefferson’s talent will just be wasted.
I believe the Jets probably haven’t inquired….yet.
But if/when the Jets do make an offer – 100 percent the Vikes are listening.
Just because they haven’t had discussions doesn’t mean they wouldn’t listen. They might even be playing mind games as to not appear over eager. It would help their negotiating leverage if they didn’t appear eager to unload him.
They are staring qt 1-4 (KC next) with a QB relationship that neither party seems interested in extending.
I know its not that simple – Kevin O’Connell and job security are things that might enter the equation – but I still contend something like a 3rd and 6th (something above a comp pick formula) for a player you are losing anyway is smart asset management.
The Vikings should trade whoever designed that ugly uniform.
This is a great post HA.
There must be a competition going on among teams to see who can create the most hideous alternate jersey. The Bears play like pumpkins so I guess it makes sense they try to dress as pumpkins. Most of the team alternate and throwback uniforms are ugly enough to make a person go blind.
If the Vikings finally get rid of Cousins I’ll start watching them again. Kurt is horrendous and will never win anything meaningful in the NFL.
Despite the Vikings record, cousins is having a great year. Why would they even think of trading him?
Vikings fans: Cousins should be traded. He doesn’t have the “It” factor and cannot carry a team.
National media: Cousins should be a prime candidate to be traded to a team that is just a QB away from being great.
Both statements cannot be true, yet we hear both every week.
You must not be a fan of the movie Scarface:
“Me, I always tell the truth…even when I lie” / Al Pacino
Please take him anyone. it’s funny to watch him continually stand still in the pocket as a 300 lb freight train takes all the time in the world to plow him over (like that Austin powers joke with the slow moving grader), but it gets tired after a few years.
His stats are only good because of the talent around him.