Vikings' Kirk Cousins raises eyebrows with reaction to trade speculation

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins may have said plenty with what he didn't say ahead of this Sunday's game at the 1-4 Chicago Bears about potentially accepting a trade elsewhere this fall.  

"You know, I'm just very focused on the Bears and going 1-0 this week," Cousins told reporters, as shared by Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports. "And anything else is just not worth my time or energy or attention." 

Cousins is in the final year of his contract that includes a full no-trade clause and has repeatedly been mentioned in stories and rumors as a temporary replacement for injured New York Jets starter Aaron Rodgers. 

Rodgers went down with a torn Achilles in Week 1 but insists he's doing everything possible to make a remarkable return to the playing field this season. 

The Vikings, meanwhile, are 1-4 and will be without star wide receiver Justin Jefferson for at least their next four games due to a strained right hamstring. ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t Kevin Seifert) suggested Tuesday that Jefferson could remain out beyond Week 9 depending on the state of the player's injury and the Vikings at that time. 

For a piece published Wednesday morning, ESPN's Dan Graziano noted that "all indications are that (Cousins) and his family are happy in Minnesota" until further notice. 

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN added that the Jets landing Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers this past spring left Gang Green without the "heavy capital" likely needed to acquire Cousins before the Oct. 31 trade deadline. 

Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk wrote on Wednesday afternoon that "there doesn’t seem to be" any team willing "to satisfy the Vikings' desired compensation" for the veteran signal-caller. 

With that said, the fact that Cousins didn't strongly deny he'd waive his no-trade clause to join a contender before Nov. 1 will raise eyebrows around the league, especially if the Vikings lose at Soldier Field this Sunday.