Kirk Cousins Trade Rumors: 'Vikings Are Legitimately Torn on What to Do with' QB

Kirk Cousins is in the final year of his contract with the Minnesota Vikings, but the team apparently still doesn't have a plan for the quarterback.

"My sense out of the combine is the Vikings are legitimately torn on what to do with a good but second-tier quarterback," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported. 

Cousins currently has a $45.2 million cap hit for 2022, which could create issues throughout the roster if the 33-year-old stays on his current deal. An extension could lower the cap hit but add guarantees in future seasons. A trade would leave the team without a proven quarterback.

The Michigan State product went to his third Pro Bowl this year as an injury replacement after finishing 2021 with 4,221 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. His 103.1 passer rating tied for fourth in the NFL among qualified players. 

Over the past three years, Cousins has a 105.0 passer rating with 94 touchdowns and just 26 interceptions across 47 starts.

Even with the production, the Vikings are still looking for more out of the quarterback position after missing the playoffs in each of the last two years. Cousins is paid like one of the best players in the NFL—only reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers has a higher cap hit for 2022—but his 52.3 adjusted QBR ranked just 15th in the league.

Trading Cousins would allow the Vikings to start fresh at the position under new head coach Kevin O'Connell.

The problem is there likely aren't many upgrades available, with 2021 backups Marcus Mariota and Mitchell Trubisky among the hottest names in free agency, per Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN.

A decision on Cousins likely represents the difference between a rebuild or a shot at contention. The lasting effects of this call is probably causing the front office's indecisiveness to date.