The Minnesota Vikings have been one of the most surprising teams in the NFL thus far. After going 13-4 and winning the NFC North in the 2022 campaign, Minnesota has gotten off to a brutal 0-3 start this year.

That start certainly isn’t because of quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has been doing everything in his power to put the team in a position to win games. He and Justin Jefferson have been a productive pairing to this point, but it hasn’t been enough to get the team in the win column.

Week 4 is essentially a playoff game for the Vikings, as they will be taking on the 0-3 Carolina Panthers. Whoever loses that game can pretty much kiss their chances of turning their season around and making a playoff push goodbye.

That matchup is one that will have a lasting impact on the Vikings. If they do not win the game, some major changes could be on the horizon. According to a source who spoke to NFL Analysis Network, the team has already held discussions about trading Cousins and those talks will persist if they start 0-4.

“While the Vikings aren’t close to giving up on the season, they have discussed the option of trading Kirk Cousins. If they go to 0-4, those considerations will intensify.”

An 0-4 start would likely be enough for the Vikings to strongly consider moving Cousins and turning their focus to 2024, more specifically, the NFL Draft. The upcoming draft class is projected to have a deep, talented group of quarterbacks, which Minnesota could be in a position to target if the losses continue piling up.

The trade rumors are something that Jefferson is getting tired of, but they aren’t going to go away any time soon. The only way to quiet them down is to win football games, something that the Vikings have failed to do to this point.

There are a few teams that have already been linked to Cousins should he be made available. The New York Jets are one team to watch for, as are the Las Vegas Raiders. The Washington Commanders shouldn’t be counted out with the struggles of Sam Howell, either.