Kirk Cousins is looking out for himself, and that's perfectly fine

During his weekly press conference on Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins was asked if there is any scenario in which he would waive his no-trade clause before this season's trade deadline on October 31st.

Here's how Cousins answered that question.

"You know, I'm just very focused on the Bears and going 1-0 this week. Anything else is just not worth my time or energy or attention."

Now, he didn't say no, but his answer doesn't sound like he's going give the Vikings the green light to ship him somewhere else before the trade deadline in a few weeks.

For Cousins, remaining with Minnesota for the rest of the season gives him the best chance to land another lucrative contract in 2024, whether that ends up being with the Vikings or another team.

If the veteran quarterback were to be dealt to another franchise before this year's trade deadline, he would have to quickly learn that team's new offense, attempt to develop some sort of chemistry with that team's offensive skill players, and hope that his trade isn't something that gets in the way of his new team's chance for success this season.

For Cousins, it's just not a very ideal scenario, and at 35-years-old with free agency on the horizon, he's not at the point in his career where he can take the risk of potentially self-sabotaging a successful statistical season by okaying a trade to a team like the New York Jets or Atlanta Falcons.

Of course, this would all be an entirely different story if Cousins didn't have the luxury of a no-trade clause. But that clause is part of the terms of the contract Minnesota agreed to when they gave him a one-year extension in March of 2022.

The only scenario that might increase the chances of Cousins removing his no-trade clause to greater than five percent would be if the San Francisco 49ers came calling.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has been a big fan of Cousins ever since the two worked together in Washington in 2012 and 2013. Shanahan is also someone the Vikings quarterback admires, so San Francisco, especially with their early success this season, would likely be the only team that Cousins would even consider waving his no-trade clause for.

Of course, in order for the 49ers to even need help at the quarterback position before this year's trade deadline, Brock Purdy would have to suffer a major injury during one of the team's next three games.

That's not something anyone should be depending on, so unless Cousins has a sudden change of heart before the trade deadline on October 31st, don't expect him to be wearing another NFL team's jersey before the end of the 2023 season.