Let's play "Reckless Speculation — Kirk Cousins Edition"

[VikingsVictorious]

My speculation is that I think he does nothing this year and bites the bullet on the cap hit. I don't see why it is imperative that Cousins is moved this year rather than next. Do we lose the ability to trade him next year? If we don't want to continue with Kirk and we can get value sure trade him now. If his contract has negative value as many believe we we may as well bite the bullet for one year and be done with it. What's wrong with biting the bullet for one year and then having a clean slate? Kwesi can do whatever he wants for 23. I don't think that speculation is reckless.

Well, actually yes. We do. He becomes a free agent.

All speculation here is reckless, including mine.

Well you are pretty much on record as saying next year we have no chance. So based on that if we can gain assets moving him we should. I personally feel we can certainly win with Kirk. He's coming into his prime. If we can't gain assets moving him then do nothing. Let the contract expire and have a clean slate in 23. Start looking for that QB that will lead us to the promised land.

[S197]

Kwesi is a Wall St guy so he understands sunk costs and not throwing good money after bad. Cousins wasn’t his choice but it buys him a year to retool. I think he keeps Cousins and develops Mond and another pick in this years draft for 2023. Cousins will move on to another team after this upcoming year. I just don’t see anyone paying him $35M let alone giving up draft picks.

[J. Kapp 11]

Kwesi is a Wall St guy so he understands sunk costs and not throwing good money after bad. Cousins wasn’t his choice but it buys him a year to retool. I think he keeps Cousins and develops Mond and another pick in this years draft for 2023. Cousins will move on to another team after this upcoming year. I just don’t see anyone paying him $35M let alone giving up draft picks.

What if another team would? Just allow yourself to consider that possibility.

If that were the case, would you move Cousins?

After all, you just made the best argument in FAVOR of moving Cousins … the error of throwing good money after bad. If your intention is to eventually go another direction, and if another team would be willing to trade for him, then why would you throw even one dollar his way? That’s the very definition of sunk cost. Not only that, it puts you a year behind in retooling this team.

I believe you’d move him if you could. Am I wrong?

That means your entire premise is based on your belief that nobody would take Cousins. I keep hearing this same idea from guys on this board, and I’ve yet to see anyone actually defend it. You all just presuppose it’s true.

Well, that leads to my second question. What’s your belief based on?

I mean, I just gave you a half dozen reasons why I believe Cleveland — just one of many QB-needy teams — would be interested. There are also many articles out there by people much smarter than me that outline the scenarios for trading Cousins. So I want to know. What’s your belief based on? I’m not being a jerk (well, I’m not trying to be one). I really want to know.

Tell me why Cleveland, coached by the only OC to ever win a playoff game with Kirk Cousins, wouldn’t want a guy they could plug in for 4,200 yards, 30+ TDs and fewer than 10 picks — as well as a guy who’s not an immature brat like Baker.

[VikingsVictorious]

Kwesi is a Wall St guy so he understands sunk costs and not throwing good money after bad. Cousins wasn’t his choice but it buys him a year to retool. I think he keeps Cousins and develops Mond and another pick in this years draft for 2023. Cousins will move on to another team after this upcoming year. I just don’t see anyone paying him $35M let alone giving up draft picks.

What if another team would? Just allow yourself to consider that possibility.

If that were the case, would you move Cousins?

After all, you just made the best argument in FAVOR of moving Cousins … the error of throwing good money after bad. If your intention is to eventually go another direction, and if another team would be willing to trade for him, then why would you throw even one dollar his way? That’s the very definition of sunk cost. Not only that, it puts you a year behind in retooling this team.

I believe you’d move him if you could. Am I wrong?

That means your entire premise is based on your belief that nobody would take Cousins. I keep hearing this same idea from guys on this board, and I’ve yet to see anyone actually defend it. You all just presuppose it’s true.

Well, that leads to my second question. What’s your belief based on?

I mean, I just gave you a half dozen reasons why I believe Cleveland — just one of many QB-needy teams — would be interested. There are also many articles out there by people much smarter than me that outline the scenarios for trading Cousins. So I want to know. What’s your belief based on? I’m not being a jerk (well, I’m not trying to be one). I really want to know.

Tell me why Cleveland, coached by the only OC to ever win a playoff game with Kirk Cousins, wouldn’t want a guy they could plug in for 4,200 yards, 30+ TDs and fewer than 10 picks — as well as a guy who’s not an immature brat like Baker.

Just like you pointed out so well in this post. Kirk Cousins is very good at professional American Football.

[J. Kapp 11]

What if another team would? Just allow yourself to consider that possibility.

If that were the case, would you move Cousins?

After all, you just made the best argument in FAVOR of moving Cousins … the error of throwing good money after bad. If your intention is to eventually go another direction, and if another team would be willing to trade for him, then why would you throw even one dollar his way? That’s the very definition of sunk cost. Not only that, it puts you a year behind in retooling this team.

I believe you’d move him if you could. Am I wrong?

That means your entire premise is based on your belief that nobody would take Cousins. I keep hearing this same idea from guys on this board, and I’ve yet to see anyone actually defend it. You all just presuppose it’s true.

Well, that leads to my second question. What’s your belief based on?

I mean, I just gave you a half dozen reasons why I believe Cleveland — just one of many QB-needy teams — would be interested. There are also many articles out there by people much smarter than me that outline the scenarios for trading Cousins. So I want to know. What’s your belief based on? I’m not being a jerk (well, I’m not trying to be one). I really want to know.

Tell me why Cleveland, coached by the only OC to ever win a playoff game with Kirk Cousins, wouldn’t want a guy they could plug in for 4,200 yards, 30+ TDs and fewer than 10 picks — as well as a guy who’s not an immature brat like Baker.

Just like you pointed out so well in this post. Kirk Cousins is very good at professional American Football.

He is. Never said he wasn’t.

But you will NEVER convince me he’s $45 million-a-year good. That’s the problem, my friend. And unless he agrees to less money in future years, it’s a problem the Vikings can’t escape as long as he’s on the roster.

There’s a part of me that would love to see what Jim Harbaugh or Kevin O’Connell could do with Cousins. But not at nearly a quarter of the Vikings’ salary cap. Sorry dude.

[S197]

Kwesi is a Wall St guy so he understands sunk costs and not throwing good money after bad. Cousins wasn’t his choice but it buys him a year to retool. I think he keeps Cousins and develops Mond and another pick in this years draft for 2023. Cousins will move on to another team after this upcoming year. I just don’t see anyone paying him $35M let alone giving up draft picks.

What if another team would? Just allow yourself to consider that possibility.

If that were the case, would you move Cousins?

After all, you just made the best argument in FAVOR of moving Cousins … the error of throwing good money after bad. If your intention is to eventually go another direction, and if another team would be willing to trade for him, then why would you throw even one dollar his way? That’s the very definition of sunk cost. Not only that, it puts you a year behind in retooling this team.

I believe you’d move him if you could. Am I wrong?

That means your entire premise is based on your belief that nobody would take Cousins. I keep hearing this same idea from guys on this board, and I’ve yet to see anyone actually defend it. You all just presuppose it’s true.

Well, that leads to my second question. What’s your belief based on?

I mean, I just gave you a half dozen reasons why I believe Cleveland — just one of many QB-needy teams — would be interested. There are also many articles out there by people much smarter than me that outline the scenarios for trading Cousins. So I want to know. What’s your belief based on? I’m not being a jerk (well, I’m not trying to be one). I really want to know.

Tell me why Cleveland, coached by the only OC to ever win a playoff game with Kirk Cousins, wouldn’t want a guy they could plug in for 4,200 yards, 30+ TDs and fewer than 10 picks — as well as a guy who’s not an immature brat like Baker.

Yes, I’d trade him for a 7th to get out of that contract. And that’s not hyperbole. I want him gone by any and all means necessary. Next year is a full on rebuild anyway, that $35M can go towards a player(s) who can make a long term impact.

No one is taking Cousins because everyone outside of select Vikings fans know he isn’t worth $45M. Now you may say, they only need to pay $35M. But what about the following year? $45M is what you pay a top 5 QB and there’s no one calling Cousins a top 5 QB. He’s lucky if he cracks top 10. He’s far too big of a salary cap drain and everyone outside of our recently unemployment GM knows it.

[J. Kapp 11]

What if another team would? Just allow yourself to consider that possibility.

If that were the case, would you move Cousins?

After all, you just made the best argument in FAVOR of moving Cousins … the error of throwing good money after bad. If your intention is to eventually go another direction, and if another team would be willing to trade for him, then why would you throw even one dollar his way? That’s the very definition of sunk cost. Not only that, it puts you a year behind in retooling this team.

I believe you’d move him if you could. Am I wrong?

That means your entire premise is based on your belief that nobody would take Cousins. I keep hearing this same idea from guys on this board, and I’ve yet to see anyone actually defend it. You all just presuppose it’s true.

Well, that leads to my second question. What’s your belief based on?

I mean, I just gave you a half dozen reasons why I believe Cleveland — just one of many QB-needy teams — would be interested. There are also many articles out there by people much smarter than me that outline the scenarios for trading Cousins. So I want to know. What’s your belief based on? I’m not being a jerk (well, I’m not trying to be one). I really want to know.

Tell me why Cleveland, coached by the only OC to ever win a playoff game with Kirk Cousins, wouldn’t want a guy they could plug in for 4,200 yards, 30+ TDs and fewer than 10 picks — as well as a guy who’s not an immature brat like Baker.

Yes, I’d trade him for a 7th to get out of that contract. And that’s not hyperbole. I want him gone by any and all means necessary. Next year is a full on rebuild anyway, that $35M can go towards a player(s) who can make a long term impact.

No one is taking Cousins because everyone outside of select Vikings fans know he isn’t worth $45M. Now you may say, they only need to pay $35M. But what about the following year? $45M is what you pay a top 5 QB and there’s no one calling Cousins a top 5 QB. He’s lucky if he cracks top 10. He’s far too big of a salary cap drain and everyone outside of our recently unemployment GM knows it.

Fair enough. I’ll respectfully disagree.

My feeling is that we Vikings fans, having suffered through four years of underachieving, have a far dimmer view of Kirk Cousins than those disconnected with the team. Plus, there’s the ego factor — “I can fix Kirk Cousins.” How many coaches, teams and GMs have fallen for that old line. Basically, for my reckless speculation to come true, only one team has to take the bait. For yours to come true, all the other fish have to ignore the juicy worm. I like my odds!

All we can do is wait and see.

[VikeFanInEagleLand]

Yes, I’d trade him for a 7th to get out of that contract. And that’s not hyperbole. I want him gone by any and all means necessary. Next year is a full on rebuild anyway, that $35M can go towards a player(s) who can make a long term impact.

No one is taking Cousins because everyone outside of select Vikings fans know he isn’t worth $45M. Now you may say, they only need to pay $35M. But what about the following year? $45M is what you pay a top 5 QB and there’s no one calling Cousins a top 5 QB. He’s lucky if he cracks top 10. He’s far too big of a salary cap drain and everyone outside of our recently unemployment GM knows it.

Fair enough. I’ll respectfully disagree.

My feeling is that we Vikings fans, having suffered through four years of underachieving, have a far dimmer view of Kirk Cousins than those disconnected with the team. Plus, there’s the ego factor — “I can fix Kirk Cousins.” How many coaches, teams and GMs have fallen for that old line. Basically, for my reckless speculation to come true, only one team has to take the bait. For yours to come true, all the other fish have to ignore the juicy worm. I like my odds!

All we can do is wait and see.

For the fist year of Cousins, I did as much complaining about him as anyone. But I gotta tell you...he won me over. I think the big mistake everyone wants to make is pinning so much blame on him for the underachieving. I don't think think there's much that needs to be fixed. He did what he was asked to do. They play was called, and he completed the passes. Not his fault that the plays called sucked. So I guess if there's fault to find in him, it's that he stayed on script. But maybe the real fix isn't to replace him, but to give him a better script. I know everyone wants to label him as a loser, but you're only a loser until you're not. Who's a better QB, Cousins or Stafford? Stafford is what happens when you take a good QB, surround him with some talent, and give him someone that knows how to call plays.

So my hope is that somehow Cousins is restructured and remains here for a few more years. I want to see what he can do under someone not named Mike Zimmer. Adofo-Mensah has been labeled as a analytics man. If that's truly the case, then Cousins numbers should scream to keep him. Obviously this is weighed against the financial side of things. So I'll make my prediction that Cousins will agree to have his contract restructured, and Kwesi extends him for a couple years.

[fiestavike]

Yes, I’d trade him for a 7th to get out of that contract. And that’s not hyperbole. I want him gone by any and all means necessary. Next year is a full on rebuild anyway, that $35M can go towards a player(s) who can make a long term impact.

No one is taking Cousins because everyone outside of select Vikings fans know he isn’t worth $45M. Now you may say, they only need to pay $35M. But what about the following year? $45M is what you pay a top 5 QB and there’s no one calling Cousins a top 5 QB. He’s lucky if he cracks top 10. He’s far too big of a salary cap drain and everyone outside of our recently unemployment GM knows it.

Fair enough. I’ll respectfully disagree.

My feeling is that we Vikings fans, having suffered through four years of underachieving, have a far dimmer view of Kirk Cousins than those disconnected with the team. Plus, there’s the ego factor — “I can fix Kirk Cousins.” How many coaches, teams and GMs have fallen for that old line. Basically, for my reckless speculation to come true, only one team has to take the bait. For yours to come true, all the other fish have to ignore the juicy worm. I like my odds!

All we can do is wait and see.

And there is also the same rational that Spielman used. Kirk Cousins > Case Keenum. Lot's of teams in the NFL today are 'an upgrade at QB away from being contenders' or at least imagine themselves to be such. In reality Case Keenum = Kirk Cousins = Ryan Fitzpatrick or any other number of journeyman QBs who have strengths and weaknesses that in the right circumstances will get you to 8,9,10 wins but not likely much beyond it.

The truth about Kirk Cousins is that he is the equivalent of a low efficiency scorer in the NBA. He is Russel Westbrook. His numbers look good, all those triple doubles are nice, but for some reason it doesn't equate to wins. It's all those little things great QBs do that fans don't see and that season totals of passing yards and touchdowns don't measure. How many GMs have made a move for Westbrook? Quite a few at this point. I think there are multiple GMs who see Kirk as an upgrade and would be willing to part with a valuable pick in exchange for him, and for the right to re-sign him on a 3 or 4 year deal.

[VikingsVictorious]

Just like you pointed out so well in this post. Kirk Cousins is very good at professional American Football.

He is. Never said he wasn’t.

But you will NEVER convince me he’s $45 million-a-year good. That’s the problem, my friend. And unless he agrees to less money in future years, it’s a problem the Vikings can’t escape as long as he’s on the roster.

There’s a part of me that would love to see what Jim Harbaugh or Kevin O’Connell could do with Cousins. But not at nearly a quarter of the Vikings’ salary cap. Sorry dude.

Well he's getting paid 35 million for 22, but counting 45 million. If we can extend him and keep him at 30 million or less going forward I would be good with that, but otherwise I agree with you. Unsustainable.

[VikingsVictorious]

Fair enough. I’ll respectfully disagree.

My feeling is that we Vikings fans, having suffered through four years of underachieving, have a far dimmer view of Kirk Cousins than those disconnected with the team. Plus, there’s the ego factor — “I can fix Kirk Cousins.” How many coaches, teams and GMs have fallen for that old line. Basically, for my reckless speculation to come true, only one team has to take the bait. For yours to come true, all the other fish have to ignore the juicy worm. I like my odds!

All we can do is wait and see.

For the fist year of Cousins, I did as much complaining about him as anyone. But I gotta tell you...he won me over. I think the big mistake everyone wants to make is pinning so much blame on him for the underachieving. I don't think think there's much that needs to be fixed. He did what he was asked to do. They play was called, and he completed the passes. Not his fault that the plays called sucked. So I guess if there's fault to find in him, it's that he stayed on script. But maybe the real fix isn't to replace him, but to give him a better script. I know everyone wants to label him as a loser, but you're only a loser until you're not. Who's a better QB, Cousins or Stafford? Stafford is what happens when you take a good QB, surround him with some talent, and give him someone that knows how to call plays.

So my hope is that somehow Cousins is restructured and remains here for a few more years. I want to see what he can do under someone not named Mike Zimmer. Adofo-Mensah has been labeled as a analytics man. If that's truly the case, then Cousins numbers should scream to keep him. Obviously this is weighed against the financial side of things. So I'll make my prediction that Cousins will agree to have his contract restructured, and Kwesi extends him for a couple years.

Stafford is a Super Bowl QB. Cousins is better.

[fiestavike]

I feel like the options at this point for Cousins next year are
Minnesota,
Indy,
Cleveland,
Pittsburg,
Miami,
Tennessee,
Houston,
Green Bay,
Detroit,
San Francisco,
and a few others.

In other words, there are a lot of options. The huge question is whether Kwesi likes Cousins as his starting QB, but if not, there is a market for Kirk.

[J. Kapp 11]

For the fist year of Cousins, I did as much complaining about him as anyone. But I gotta tell you...he won me over. I think the big mistake everyone wants to make is pinning so much blame on him for the underachieving. I don't think think there's much that needs to be fixed. He did what he was asked to do. They play was called, and he completed the passes. Not his fault that the plays called sucked. So I guess if there's fault to find in him, it's that he stayed on script. But maybe the real fix isn't to replace him, but to give him a better script. I know everyone wants to label him as a loser, but you're only a loser until you're not. Who's a better QB, Cousins or Stafford? Stafford is what happens when you take a good QB, surround him with some talent, and give him someone that knows how to call plays.

So my hope is that somehow Cousins is restructured and remains here for a few more years. I want to see what he can do under someone not named Mike Zimmer. Adofo-Mensah has been labeled as a analytics man. If that's truly the case, then Cousins numbers should scream to keep him. Obviously this is weighed against the financial side of things. So I'll make my prediction that Cousins will agree to have his contract restructured, and Kwesi extends him for a couple years.

Stafford is a Super Bowl QB. Cousins is better.

No, he’s not. Your own words — Super Bowl quarterback.

Are you honestly going to tell me that if Kirk Cousins were QB of the Los Angeles Rams, they’d still be in the Super Bowl? I mean, are you his cousin or something?

(Get it?)

[VikingLord]

Stafford is a Super Bowl QB. Cousins is better.

Based on what?

[J. Kapp 11]

More ammo for the reckless Cousins-to-Cleveland speculation. The Mary Kay in this quote is Browns lead beat writer Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com (Cleveland Plain Dealer in the newspaper world) so an informed source.

Hey, Mary Kay: Do you honestly think the Browns could seriously try to acquire Kirk Cousins? — Kristopher Jacoby, Malvern, Ohio

Hey, Kristopher: I think Kirk Cousins would be worth exploring if he becomes available in a trade. In the past three seasons in Minnesota, he’s finished fourth, eighth and second in passer rating. In 2019, with Kevin Stefanski as his offensive coordinator and playcaller, he finished No. 2 in the NFL with a 107.4 rating, with 26 touchdowns and only six interceptions. This season, despite a losing record, he finished fourth with a 103.1 rating, with 33 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. The Browns could do a lot worse than a QB who consistently finishes in the top 10 and doesn’t throw many picks. With former Browns Vice President of Football Operations Kwesi Adofo-Mensah now the Vikings’ GM, the working relationship is there to do a deal if both sides are interested. The Vikings might want to rebuild or retool under a new head coach, and the Browns are ready to win now.

This gives you a good idea what people outside of Vikings Nation think of Kirk Cousins, as well as the Browns’ win-now mindset.