Vikings Expected to Explore Kirk Cousins, Daniel Jones Trades
The Minnesota Vikings are expected to explore trades for Kirk Cousins and Daniel Jones before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Ian Rapoport.
Monday’s 23-6 loss to the Buffalo Bills showed why Minnesota’s quarterback situation has become a deadline storyline. The Vikings finished with 178 total yards and no touchdowns, falling to 6-2 after another ineffective offensive performance.
Rapoport discussed the two former Vikings quarterbacks during Pat McAfee’s Monday Night Football simulcast, while Minnesota was struggling to move the ball. He expects the Vikings to check on their availability before deciding whether to make a move.
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“Those are two pretty solid options who could be had for draft pick compensation that wouldn’t kill the Vikings,” Rapoport said. “I would expect them to at least look into it tomorrow.”
Quarterback Carson Wentz completed just eight of 25 passes for 81 yards, with no touchdowns and two interceptions against Buffalo. Minnesota failed to score after halftime and held the ball for only 17 minutes, 28 seconds. Star receiver Justin Jefferson finished with three catches for 58 yards.
Wentz was starting in place of Kyler Murray, who was sidelined by a hamstring strain. Coach Kevin O’Connell described Murray as week-to-week when announcing the change on Thursday. The switch gave Minnesota another option under center, but Monday’s result left the offense hopeless.
Finding an upgrade will require more than identifying a familiar name. Rapoport acknowledged that the Raiders have not indicated they want to move Cousins, even as he suggested Minnesota could ask.
“The Raiders have showed no indication they would trade him,” Rapoport said of Cousins, “but at least they could call and see what is there.”
Jones presents a similar obstacle. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported Sunday that Indianapolis had told Jones the previous day he would not be traded before the deadline. The Colts had listened to inquiries, Pelissero reported, but had no intention of making a deal.
For Minnesota, the question is whether either team’s position can change before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline. After scoring six points against a Buffalo defense that entered Week 9 ranked 30th in passing yards allowed per game, the Vikings are quickly running out of time and options.
