Insider explains linking Vikings' Kirk Cousins with 49ers, Rams

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained why he recently suggested Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins could join either the San Francisco 49ers or Los Angeles Rams next offseason. 

"In 2017, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t even evaluate (Kansas City Chiefs star) Patrick Mahomes because Shanahan believed he’d be signing Cousins a year later," Florio wrote. "Since then, the 49ers have had a revolving door of quarterbacks, due in large part to none of them being able to stay healthy." 

Florio first said in April that "there was some chatter" during the scouting combine about Cousins possibly being traded to the 49ers this spring, and the league insider later reported that the Vikings and 49ers "talked about" San Francisco's Trey Lance at the combine. 

Cousins is set to hit free agency following the upcoming season and made it known earlier this month he "probably" won't speak with the Vikings about his situation until next March. Florio noted that a source confirmed Minnesota can't use the franchise tag to retain Cousins' rights for 2024. 

As for the 49ers, reports indicate the club believes 2022 rookie sensation Brock Purdy will be ready for Week 1 coming off the surgery he had in March to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. That doesn't mean Purdy will produce repeat performances from his debut pro campaign this fall, and Shanahan could eventually view Cousins as an upgrade over both the last pick of the 2022 draft and Lance. 

Meanwhile, Florio mentioned that "there were rumblings that the Rams were hoping for a trade offer" this offseason for veteran Matthew Stafford. Stafford turns 36 years old next winter, and it was rumored as recently as March that he could retire before the 2023 season after he dealt with numerous physical setbacks last year. 

"After another year of Stafford holding his aging body together, while also potentially getting injured at some point during the 2023 season, (Rams) coach Sean McVay — who, like Shanahan, worked with Cousins in D.C. — could decide to make a play for Cousins," Florio continued. "Especially if McVay thinks Shanahan will finally try to get Cousins." 

It seems clear Cousins' future is bound to generate headlines unless he and the Vikings put pen to paper on an extension before or during the season.