5 reasons why the Vikings should consider trading Kirk Cousins in 2023
By Chris Schad
The Minnesota Vikings expect quarterback Kirk Cousins to return in 2023, but this offseason might be the best time to move on.
When Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Kirk Cousins will return to the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, it made a lot of sense.
Cousins completed a tremendous season, leading the Vikings to 13 wins and their first NFC North title since 2017. He tied an NFL record with eight fourth-quarter comebacks and his “Kirko Chainz” persona gave him an increased presence in the locker room and gained popularity with fans.
Mix in an iron-clad contract that would require Minnesota to eat $48.75 million in dead money if they trade him before June 1 and his return is almost a given.
On a deeper level, this might be the time to move on.
The Vikings are in a state of change and trading Cousins would be the ultimate signal of a new era. This process started with the hiring of Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell last offseason and with a buyer’s year at the quarterback position, they might want to get their own guy to lead Minnesota into the future.
That could spell the end of Cousins in Minnesota, who has plenty of reasons as to why he should stay, but several reasons why the Vikings should consider trading him in the coming months.