Two facts are undeniably true: The Minnesota Vikings have made it clear through their actions and statements that the 2023 season could be Kirk Cousins’ last as their quarterback. Additionally, the New York Jets are in need of immediate help at the quarterback position following Aaron Rodgers’ season-ending injury. Another fact is that the Vikings have started the year 0-2 after losing 34-28 to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.
Now, you may be wondering what happens next. Well, let me enlighten you. There is a growing possibility that Cousins could become a trade target for the Jets, if he isn’t already. If you have your doubts, you might be thinking one of the following thoughts: “But the Vikings still have a chance after just two games!” or “But the Jets are already paying big money for Rodgers!” or “But Cousins has a no-trade clause!” or “But the Jets have already declared Zach Wilson as their guy!”
Each of these doubts can be addressed with a reasonable response. Yes, the Vikings still have a chance to turn things around. However, their general manager, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, stated in March that 2023 would be a “competitive rebuild” year for the team. History shows that starting the season with an 0-2 record is not promising for playoff success. Only 12 out of 125 teams, who lost their first two games between 2007 and 2021, ended up making the playoffs. Additionally, the Vikings have made moves during the offseason that indicate a shift towards a long-term strategy, such as trading away win-now pieces like Dalvin Cook and Eric Kendricks. There were even reports of them considering a trade for Trey Lance during the combine.
Therefore, it’s not far-fetched to think that the Vikings might entertain the idea of trading Cousins in his contract year, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding their offensive line. Imagine the potential benefits for Adofo-Mensah if he could acquire a premium draft pick or package multiple picks in 2024 for a highly sought-after quarterback in next year’s draft. SportsLine provides an analysis of the odds of Minnesota parting ways with Cousins.
Now, let’s address the concerns about the Jets’ financial commitment to Rodgers. It’s true that Cousins is only under contract for this year and is due $20.25 million through 2023. If the Vikings were to engage in a trade, they would likely have to absorb a portion of his salary to facilitate the deal. Furthermore, there’s always the possibility that Cousins would be willing to restructure his contract and waive his no-trade clause to join the Jets. He would have the opportunity to play alongside their talented offensive weapons and defense, potentially becoming the savior in the Big Apple before hitting the free-agent market again in 2024. Now, regarding Zach Wilson, let’s be realistic. The Jets may have faith in him as the former No. 2 overall pick, but their decision to trade for Rodgers in the first place indicates that they were not entirely convinced of Wilson’s readiness. The lack of feasible alternatives in terms of available quarterbacks has led them to downplay the need for a big-name acquisition. However, there’s no denying that Cousins would be a significant upgrade over Wilson.
Despite the hurdles that would need to be overcome for this potential blockbuster trade to materialize, there are logical connections that shouldn’t be disregarded. Especially if the Vikings’ winless streak continues (they face the Chargers and Chiefs in two of their next three games), the possibility of Cousins being traded becomes even more plausible. It’s worth noting that Richard Sherman, a Thursday Night Football analyst who played under Jets coach Robert Saleh in San Francisco, practically predicted a Cousins-to-New York move after Week 2’s opening game. The ball is now in the court of the Vikings and the Jets to decide their next moves.
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