Minnesota Vikings Trade Rumors: Kirk Cousins’ Public Admission ‘Logically’ Opens Door for Russell Wilson

For Kirk Cousins, the season ended soon after he suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 8. His team, the Minnesota Vikings, didn’t even reach the playoff berth. As the offseason approaches and contract negotiations loom, there is speculation whether he will remain with the Vikings or if the team will retain Cousins.

However, Cousins has recently shown interest in any upcoming opportunities for him. Does that mean if he, in case, switches towards another team, will seemingly open the door for the “newly-benched” QB Russell Wilson? What’s the plan of Kirk Cousins, amid his joining with Bill Belichick rumors?

Kirk Cousins is planning to partner with Bill Belichick?

The contract between the Vikings and Kirk Cousins expires in March. The Vikings can’t prevent Cousins from becoming a free agent unless they re-sign him before Cousins signs himself somewhere. In a recent CBS Sports appearance, Cousins expressed his willingness to play for Bill Belichick, hinting at a possible exit from the Vikings. According to the rumors, Belichick, who was released from the Patriots around two weeks ago, might join the Atlanta Falcons as the head coach for next season. So, is Cousins too eyeing for the Falcons?

ML Football also shared an X post, reflecting that Vikings’ veteran commentator Paul Allen feels “a growing doubt” about star quarterback Kirk Cousins returning to the Vikings. It further mentioned, “GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah aggressively tried to trade up for a QB last year and is very much in play again.” So, among the unknown things of Cousins, the first unknown thing for him is his future, including the Vikings’ decision, and the other thing is his contract.

In a conversation with CBS Sports writer Isabel Gonzalez, Vikings quarterback Cousins, a 2024 unrestricted free agent, praised Belichick’s coaching achievements, hinting at his interest in working with the 71-year-old. Cousins said, “I’m not gonna turn down an opportunity to play with a future Hall of Fame coach. But we’ll have to see where March leads. It’s just a lot of unknowns right now.”

Realistically, Minnesota needs to extend Cousins’ contract before March 13, the start of the 2024 league year. If not, $28.5 million in dead money would impact the Vikings’ 2024 cap. Even with a new deal, there will be some dead cap in 2024, around $10.5 million, which is less than the potential total without an agreement. Cousins will have a two-day window starting March 11 to explore options outside Minnesota during the legal tampering period.

Read more: Is Turf Ending Football Careers? NFL Witnessed More Than 2x Spike in Achilles Injuries Since 2019

Furthermore, the other unknown thing is where The Vikings injury-ridden quarterback himself wants to live, considering his wife’s ties to Georgia. So, only March could tell the next destination for Cousins, and the same month can also reveal the future of Russell Wilson.

Vikings would be ‘Logically Fit’ for Russell Wilson

Russell Wilson might find a new opportunity with the Vikings, given the uncertainties he faces with the Broncos in the coming time. Wilson, who joined the Broncos in a significant trade in 2022, sat out the last two games of the 2023 season. He claimed that’s due to contract issues, but the Broncos GM George Paton, disputed this. If Kirk Cousins doesn’t stay with the Vikings, there’s a possibility that they might be interested in Wilson. Cousins, recovering from an Achilles injury, is wanted back by the Vikings if the terms are agreeable.

However, if Cousins opts for free agency, it could pave the way for Wilson to potentially join the Vikings. ESPN’s reporter, Jeremy Fowler, suggests that the possibility of the Vikings becoming a target for soon-to-be free agent Russell Wilson hinges on the team’s actions regarding Kirk Cousins. He also emphasized that the team could be a good fit for Wilson, considering their offensive system, and talented playmakers like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. Well, now it all seems possible.

In 2022, Wilson signed a five-year extension with the Broncos worth $245 million, with a $37 million injury guarantee triggering if he fails a physical in March. The Broncos are reportedly trying to renegotiate his deal, aiming to retain both the injury guarantee and the no-trade clause in the contract. Only time will tell, but what’s your take?

Watch This Story: Despite Succumbing to Mediocrity on the Field, Russell Wilson Teams up With Ciara for a $1,000,000 Cause