During the lead-up to the Super Bowl, ESPN suggested that the Minnesota Vikings were considering trading up to the third position in the upcoming draft to replace Kirk Cousins. This speculation has been confirmed by Darren Wolfson of KSTP.
According to Wolfson, the Vikings initiated discussions with the New England Patriots about a potential trade while both teams were at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, just before the Super Bowl.
Wolfson mentioned on the “Mackey and Judd” podcast on SKOR North that although these discussions haven’t progressed significantly, the fact that the Vikings approached the Patriots indicates their serious interest in making a major move during the draft, especially concerning their quarterback situation.
While Wolfson didn’t indicate ongoing negotiations between the two teams, he pointed out that the NFL Scouting Combine, which begins on February 26, would provide an opportunity for the Vikings to explore all potential moves before the start of free agency on March 13.
“I’m not implying that discussions have progressed significantly; it was more of a ‘Hey, let’s touch base later,’ presumably next week at the Combine in Indianapolis,” Wolfson clarified.
Vikings Inclined to Trade Up in NFL Draft If They Move on From Kirk Cousins: Insider
Vikings fans are accustomed to the team being conservative when it comes to selecting quarterbacks in the draft, as the franchise has never chosen a quarterback within the top 10 picks. However, this trend might change, particularly since the Vikings currently hold the No. 11 overall pick and could potentially make a trade to secure a higher position. Star Tribune beat reporter Ben Goessling believes there’s a stronger likelihood of the team actively pursuing such a trade rather than simply waiting to see which quarterback prospect falls to them outside of the top 10.
Goessling noted on a December 28 episode of the Star Tribune’s “Access Vikings” podcast that the team has been considering quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye since last year. He emphasized that considerable groundwork has been laid within the organization throughout the fall regarding these rookie quarterbacks. If the Vikings determine that they need to move into the top five or even the top two or three to secure a desired quarterback, Goessling believes they won’t hesitate to pursue such an opportunity.
Based on the team’s approach last year and the insights Goessling has gathered, he is confident that if the Vikings identify a quarterback they view as a franchise cornerstone for the next two decades, they will not allow any obstacles to prevent them from making a bold move. Goessling is convinced that the team will be strategic and decisive in their approach to the draft, prioritizing securing a potential long-term solution at the quarterback position over any concerns about cost.
Kirk Cousins Breaks Silence on Contract Talks Ahead of Free Agency: Exclusive
The Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins have been in discussions for months regarding a contract extension to keep the soon-to-be 36-year-old quarterback in Minnesota, but no agreement has been finalized yet.
As is typical with negotiations during this time of year, a decision may not be reached until shortly before the free agency window opens on March 13.
Cousins’ representatives will assess his potential market during the NFL’s unofficial tampering period at the combine. Subsequently, there will likely be further discussions in the weeks leading up to the official tampering period on March 11, just two days before free agency begins.
In an exclusive interview with Heavy’s Jonathan Adams during Super Bowl week, Cousins acknowledged that it’s still early in the process. Detailed discussions with the Vikings, and potentially other teams, won’t commence until March.
Cousins expressed a sense of uncertainty, as both he and the team prefer to have clarity and direction early on to plan accordingly. However, with negotiations ongoing, the future remains uncertain for Cousins and the Vikings.
Leave a Reply