A new realistic trade partner for Kirk Cousins has just emerged
By Adam Patrick
Earlier this month, we wrote about a trio of teams that could potentially make a trade with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason to acquire quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Among these three teams was the Indianapolis Colts, who are now officially in need of a new starting quarterback after Philip Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday.
With Rivers not returning and the Colts not having a top-15 selection in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft, exploring trade options to acquire a veteran quarterback is a path they could take during the next few months.
What would it take for the Indianapolis Colts to acquire the Minnesota Vikings quarterback?
Cousins is part of a group of veteran passers that also includes Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan that could be potential targets for Indianapolis this offseason.
With the Colts projected to have more than $60 million in cap space this year, affording the lucrative contracts of either Cousins, Stafford, or Ryan wouldn’t be difficult. They would just need to decide which quarterback is the best fit for their offense and which guy can help them maintain success for more than just a season or two.
Ryan can probably be ruled out since he’ll be turning 36-years-old in May. So then it comes down to Stafford or Cousins.
Stafford might have the edge over Cousins since it could potentially cost Indianapolis less to acquire the current Detroit Lions quarterback. With the Lions just hiring a new head coach, they might choose to clear house and just do a complete rebuild.
With the Vikings, they don’t have a desperate need to trade Cousins this year. So a trade offer would have to basically be too good to pass up in order for Minnesota to agree to a deal involving the quarterback.
If Detroit is willing to part with Stafford in exchange for a 2021 second-round pick and a few other draft selections, this could give them the edge to complete a deal with the Colts since it’s doubtful that the Vikings would agree to any trade for Cousins that doesn’t include a 2021 first-round pick.
This will certainly be something to keep an eye on during the next few months as Minnesota might find themselves as a part of another offseason blockbuster trade for the second year in a row.