Trade rumors have been swirling around Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins over the past several weeks, with fans and media pundits everywhere speculating on which team would represent the best potential destination for the veteran.
However, all along the way, a Cousins trade has never seemed that realistic, and while NFL insider Jordan Schultz said on Thursday that he doesn’t think Cousins will be with the Vikings in 2024, he also said he highly doubts that Cousins gets dealt before the Oct. 31 deadline.
If you really think about it, a midseason Cousins trade never really made all that much sense when you consider all of the moving parts that would be required to complete a deal.
First of all, a team would have to be willing to part with substantial assets for Cousins, as he leads the league in both completions (158) and passing touchdowns (14) thus far this season. Say what you want about him, but he’s been great this year.
Second, an interested club would also essentially have to commit to extending Cousins, as he is slated to hit free agency this offseason. No team is going to want to give away top draft picks for a half-season rental.
Finally, even if both of the above boxes were checked, Cousins has a no-trade clause (as Schultz points out) and could thwart any trade from actually getting done.
Cousins has two sons that go to school in Minnesota, so it would seem unlikely that he would want to uproot his family in the middle of a season. Not to mention that getting up and moving at the drop of a hat is not an easy regardless of your familial situation.
On top of that, expecting Cousins to learn a new playbook halfway through the season and somehow deliver elite results is a farfetched proposition.
The Kirk Cousins trade chatter has been entertaining, but it has always been more rooted in fantasy than reality.
Want the latest NFL analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click here. Interested in reading storylines and analysis about the NBA? Check out our partner NBA Analysis Network.
