Don’t expect Kirk Cousins to replace Aaron Rodgers as the Jets’ quarterback this season.
Cousins, who can become a free agent after the year, is not expected to waive his no-trade clause and is therefore likely to remain with the Minnesota Vikings through the end of the season, ESPN reported Sunday.
The 35-year-old Cousins has been the subject of trade speculation given his contract status, the Vikings’ 1-4 start and the team’s recent loss of superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson for at least a month due to a hamstring injury.
Cousins failed to defuse the rumors last week when he was asked if he would consider waiving his no-trade clause before the Oct. 31 trade deadline.
“I’m just very focused on the Bears and going 1-0 this week,” Cousins said. “Anything else is just not worth my time or energy or attention.”
The Jets have frequently been linked as a trade destination for Cousins after Rodgers, 39, suffered a season-ending Achilles tear on the team’s fourth offensive snap of Week 1. The offseason acquisition of Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, gave the Jets aspirations for a Super Bowl title, but the team entered Sunday just 2-3 with Zach Wilson under center.
The Jets signed veteran Trevor Siemian to their practice squad last month but are yet to make a splash move at quarterback since Rodgers went down. Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has also been speculated as a trade target, was carted off the field Sunday after suffering an ankle injury against the Baltimore Ravens in London.
Despite the Vikings’ disappointing start, Cousins has played well this season. His 13 touchdown passes through five games led the NFL, while his 1,498 passing yards ranked third.
Without Jefferson, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Cousins’ top pass-catching options include first-round rookie Jordan Addison and tight end TJ Hockenson, whom the Vikings traded a second-round pick for last year.
For Cousins to consider a midseason trade, it would likely take a contender that runs an offensive scheme he’s comfortable with losing their starting quarterback, according to ESPN.
Cousins’ future with Minnesota beyond this season remains unclear. If the Vikings continue to lose and end up with a high draft pick, they could consider selecting their quarterback of the future. The 2024 NFL Draft is considered a strong one for quarterbacks, with USC’s Caleb Williams and North Carolina’s Drake Maye eligible to declare.
Peter Sblendorio
Source link
