Trade speculation is swirling around Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
While no legitimate rumors of trade discussions have surfaced, some feel that it is only a matter of time before the winless Vikings decide to field offers for their veteran signal-caller.
The New York Jets have been named the most likely landing spot in the event of a trade, and that’s no surprise considering they have been forced to roll with Zach Wilson under center following Aaron Rodgers‘ Week 1 injury.
We have also heard the Las Vegas Raiders mentioned as a potential destination, as Jimmy Garoppolo has not lived up to expectations through the first three weeks of the season.
But why is no one mentioned the Washington Commanders?
Of course, Kirk Cousins started his NFL career with the Washington franchise, first serving as Robert Griffin III’s back up from 2012 through 2014 before becoming the club’s full-time starter in his fourth season. Cousins started three years at quarterback for Washington, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2016. He then departed for the Vikings in free agency in March 2018.
Since then, Washington has struggled to find a capable quarterback. The Commanders are currently settling for second-year player Sam Howell, who is coming off of a nightmarish outing in which he threw four interceptions and was sacked nine times in a 37-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Howell has made four starts for Washington dating back to last year, but even though he won his first three, he was really a game manager more than anything else.
Surely, the Commanders would love an upgrade at the position, and Cousins would represent just that.
Washington is 2-1 on the season, and while it isn’t exactly teeming with talent, it is probably good enough to at least make a run at the playoffs with a better quarterback. The Commanders have a nice receiving duo of Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. Curtis Samuel is no slouch, either. Plus, Brian Robinson has flashed some potential in the backfield thus far.
Couple that with the fact that Washington boasts a solid defense, and I see no reason why the team shouldn’t at least make an effort to acquire Cousins.
Cousins is in the final year of his deal, so if things don’t work out, the Commanders would have no strings attached beyond 2023. Yes, they would have to give up some draft capital to pry Cousins away from Minnesota, but this is a Washington franchise that has not won a playoff game in almost two decades and has only made six trips to the postseason overall since 1993. The Commanders are in need of some type of boost, and Cousins could provide that for them.
Cousins has actually played very well thus far this season, leading the NFL in completions, passing yards and touchdowns. The problem is, his team has been below average as a whole.
Perhaps Cousins would experience more overall success on Washington?
The fact that the Commanders have not even been mentioned as a potential destination for the 35-year-old is strange to me. Washington may not be as obvious of a fit as the Jets, but it still makes plenty of sense.
