Kirk Cousins to Cleveland? Trade to Browns just became more realistic

A trade that sends Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Cleveland Browns is much more believable after the hiring of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings reportedly agreed to a contract with Cleveland Browns vice president of player personnel, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, to become the team’s new general manager. It’s an exciting moment in the history of the Vikings, but it’s safe to say that not everyone on the team’s roster is thrilled about the hiring of Adofo-Mensah.

Minnesota’s new general manager brings a fresh perspective to the franchise and one of his first objectives this offseason will be to figure out what to do with quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Cousins has one year left on his current contract, but he’s expected to be thrown onto the trade block this offseason. Following the hiring of Adofo-Mensah, the possibility of the Vikings and Browns making a deal involving the quarterback seems much more realistic.

Will the Minnesota Vikings trade Kirk Cousins to the Cleveland Browns before the 2022 season?

With Minnesota’s new general manager having previously worked with Cleveland, it’s not hard to understand why the two teams are going to be linked when it comes to the discussion of a trade involving Cousins.

However, the Browns are probably looking to make a change at the quarterback position this offseason as well with things not really working out with Baker Mayfield.

It’s not insane to think that the Vikings and Adofo-Mensah would be willing to deal with a year with Mayfield on their roster if it resulted in them landing an early-round draft pick and getting Cousins off the books.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski helped lead Minnesota to the playoffs in 2019 with Cousins starting under center. So who’s to say Stefanski doesn’t think he can do the same with the veteran signal-caller starting for the Browns in 2022?

The trade talk involving Cousins isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, but his chances of winding up in Cleveland this year are certainly higher after the Vikings’ hiring of Adofo-Mensah.