Kirk Cousins Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Two front-runners emerge in the Kirk Cousins trade lottery

Originally posted on Game 7 | By Anthony Amador | Last updated 10/14/23

The Minnesota Vikings’ unique knack for winning close games earned them a playoff bid in 2022. They ultimately squandered it and were upset by the New York Giants, but at least they reigned supreme atop a weak NFC North.

History is not repeating itself this year.

Minnesota is currently 1-4 on the year and can’t win a one-touchdown game to save its life.

As a result, the Vikings are increasingly speeding toward a roster blow-up. All signs now point to Kirk Cousins being traded before the end of this season.

Over the past week, two clear front-runners have emerged for Cousins’s services.

The first is the New York Jets. With Aaron Rodgers shelved and Zach Wilson repeatedly proving he isn’t a starter-level player in the NFL, Robert Saleh’s squad needs stability at quarterback. Cousins could provide that.

If not the Jets, the New England Patriots also make a ton of sense. There was hope that Bill O’Brien’s arrival would fix whatever ailed Mac Jones last season. It hasn’t.

Earlier this week, a report emerged suggesting that head coach Bill Belichick was on the hot seat. He needs to do something, and quickly, if he wants to steer clear of Robert Kraft’s wrath. Acquiring Cousins could be the solution.

The only real problem here is that Cousins has a no-trade clause. This week, reporters asked him about it.

#Vikings QB Kirk Cousins when asked if he would waive his no-trade clause before the trade deadline #skol pic.twitter.com/rSaAHxYOm5

— Vikings Nation (@vikingsnationmn) October 11, 2023

“You know, I am just very focused on the Bears and going 1-0 this week,” Cousins said. “And anything else is not worth my time or energy or attention.”

Cousins is currently in the final year of his deal. Trading him instead of losing him for nothing certainly makes sense for Minnesota.

But he would have to oblige in waiving his no-trade clause.

By any objective measure, Cousins is having a solid campaign. He has nearly 1,500 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He also ranks seventh in passer rating in the entire league.

Would he be an asset to either the Jets or Patriots? Absolutely. Will they be able to do what is necessary to actually acquire him, though? Time will tell.

This article first appeared on Game 7 and was syndicated with permission.

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