The Minnesota Vikings finished last season 13-4, kings of the NFC North and firmly in the contenders circle. Or, so we thought. An early postseason exit sparked questions about the validity of Minnesota's winning reputation. Those questions have been amplified tenfold to open the 2023 campaign.
Minnesota is 0-2 after a grueling Thursday night loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. A six-point loss to the Eagles isn't exactly damning, but it came on the heels of a ghastly Week 1 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and it involved four crippling turnovers. As the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers make strong early impressions, the Vikings are looking like division underdogs — not favorites.
Now the spotlight shifts to Kirk Cousins, whose future with the team is increasingly uncertain. Cousins is in the final year of his contract and the Vikings have been hesitant to engage in long-term extension talks. Those talks will go nowhere fast if Cousins and the offense can't get back on track, and fast.
If the Vikings find themselves compelled to go in a new direction, the first domino could be a Cousins trade. Here are a few potential options to bear in mind.
NFL Rumors: Vikings could trade Kirk Cousins to Titans
The Tennessee Titans started the season with a whimper, losing 16-15 to the thoroughly uninspiring New Orleans Saints. Ryan Tannehill has been a steady option over the years, but he's middle-of-the-road at best. Last Sunday, he was awful, completing 16-of-34 passes for 198 yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions.
This is Tannehill's fifth season as the starting QB in Tennessee. The Titans have ostensibly drafted his replacements — Will Levis or Malik Willis — but Tannehill continues to receive first-team reps. If Mike Vrabel's squad remains committed to winning, and thus desires a veteran QB under center, there's no harm in seeking an upgrade.
Cousins captained Minnesota's offense to the second-most passing yards in the NFL last season. The Titans have a middling collection of receivers, but DeAndre Hopkins is a grizzled vet who could find fast chemistry with Cousins. In the backfield, there isn't a better pure runner in the NFL than Derrick Henry.
Like Cousins, Tannehill is in the last year of his contract. Tennessee would probably feel better about paying the former.
The Vikings load up on draft capital with this trade and get a proven vet to hold the offense over until next season, when a talented young rookie would presumably join the mix. Tannehill doesn't possess a magic arm, but he's a smart game manager who can adequately distribute the ball to a collection of playmakers as talented as Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison.
NFL Rumors: Vikings could trade Kirk Cousins to Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals signed Kyler Murray to a monster five-year, $230.5 million contract in 2022. He followed it up an underwhelming campaign, completing 66.4 percent of his passes for 2,368 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 11 games. The Cardinals were 3-8 with Murray under center, leading to new questions about his viability as the long-term starter.
The former No. 1 pick began the 2023 season on the PUP list as he recovers from an ACL injury. The Cardinals are starting veteran Joshua Dobbs in his absence. There was natural skepticism about starting a journeyman backup like Dobbs, and it was not unfounded. He threw for 132 yards in an abysmal Week 1 performance.
If the Cardinals desire an immediate upgrade in the pocket while also getting off of Murray's contract (he's locked up through at least 2027), the Vikings' woes present a prime opportunity. For the price of a few extra picks, the Cardinals could feasibly swap Murray for the more affordable Cousins without any long-term obligation. Even if the Cards re-sign Cousins at the season's end, his deal will end up more palatable than Murray's deal.
For Minnesota, this trade would represent a gutsy upside play. Murray is a former No. 1 pick and two-time Pro Bowl participant. He's 26 years old with plenty of time to right the ship. The contract is a tough pill to swallow, but there's a reason Arizona signed him to that contract. Not long ago, that number was an accurate representation of Murray's perceived value. He's coming off a rocky season and a severe knee injury, but the natural talent is there.
The Vikings would probably prefer to start fresh with a Cousins trade, but this sort of blockbuster is the alternative. Murray is a veteran with the potential to lead the Vikings back to competitive status.
NFL Rumors: Vikings could trade Kirk Cousins to Jets
The New York Jets' season flashed before our eyes on Monday night when Aaron Rodgers spun to the ground with a torn Achilles. After an offseason of hype, the Jets' new-look offense got four snaps in before reverting back to former No. 2 pick Zach Wilson.
New York is still 1-0 to open the season with a dominant defense and a talented batch of playmakers. Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Dalvin Cook form the foundation of an explosive offense. If only the quarterback was more reliable.
New York is undoubtedly the most reasonable landing spot for Cousins. It almost makes too much sense. The Vikings can reset with draft capital, while the Jets get a high-level rental to hold down the fort until Rodgers returns in 2024. Cousins is also another wise veteran who can mentor the wayward Zach Wilson, who looked completely unprepared in Week 1 despite a summer of studying under Rodgers.
Cousins has lost some zip on his passes over the last couple of years, but he's still a supremely confident gunslinger who loves to air it out. His connection with Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen over the years is proof of his ability to cultivate relationships with elite receivers. Garrett Wilson is the perfect next man in line. Plus, who better to ease Dalvin Cook into the Jets' offense than his former running mate?