Vikings Have No Plans to Trade Kirk Cousins but Continue to Take Calls on Others

Win or lose vs the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings have no plans to trade Kirk Cousins. In fact, according to Diana Russini (The Athletic) they are much more likely to keep him around for the long term, than they are to trade him away mid-season.

Related: Justin Jefferson May Not Return This Season If Playoffs Are Out Of Reach

Vikings unlikely to trade Kirk Cousins, may extend him instead

Aside from the challenge of integrating a new starting quarterback in the middle of a season, there are other reasons Cousins is likely to stay put. First, he has a no-trade clause and becomes a free agent in March. Cousins has a family with two young boys in school in Minnesota, and uprooting them or living apart just to go join another team starting in November might not make the most sense.

I also was told by team sources that Minnesota is not planning on trading him. They are always going to take a call, but I’ve had numerous conversations with league sources about the Vikings’ resistance to trading their starter and also the possibility that the team keeps Cousins past this season.

Dianna Russini – The Athletic

Russini did her homework on this report. Not only has she talked to people in Cousins’ corner and those inside the Vikings front office, but she has also contacted teams like the Jets, Falcons, Steelers and Browns, none of which seem inclined to make such a groundbreaking midseason deal at QB.

Of course, all sides could be sending smoke signals through Dianna, in order to leverage the other party into offering more than they’ve been willing, so far. But as of now, it appears as if Kirk Cousins is staying in Minnesota, at least until the offseason, possibly beyond.

Other Minnesota Vikings players on the trade block

While the Vikings may not be willing to trade Kirk Cousins, they have already been fielding calls and remain interested in dealing other veterans, including KJ Osborn, Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith.

As for Vikings players who are more viable trade candidates, Minnesota has received calls and will continue to listen on three-time pro bowl defensive end, Danielle Hunter, receiver KJ Osborn and safety Harrison Smith.

Dianna Russini – The Athletic

Osborn will be looking for a bigger role elsewhere, next season, even after a very mediocre start to 2023-24. Danielle Hunter already has suiters that we’ve heard about, though the Jaguars may not have what it takes in draft capital to get the deal done.

Related: Kirk Cousins Sidesteps Question About Waiving No-Trade Clause

Harrison Smith makes sense, even after he took a pay cut during the offseason, to stay with the Vikings. Statistically, Harry is having one of the best seasons in his career and it will be Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s last chance to cash in on a decent return package, before he hits the age of 35.

The Vikings will play the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, on Sunday. A win could put a pause on any of these trade plans, but a loss could trigger them to start happening as early as Monday.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan