Florio: “I can’t see the Vikings demanding a whole lot if they [trade] Cousins”

There is no player in the league now or perhaps ever that is more disrespected than Kirk Cousins. Case in point, this story. Vikings fan and national talking head Mike Florio of Pro Football Focus brought up soon-to-be former Texans quarterback DeShaun Watson and the San fRancisco 49ers this week and essentially said that Kirk Cousins was the better fit.

“I can’t see the Vikings demanding a whole lot if they would decide to move on from Kirk Cousins. … I think that’s something that the 49ers should definitely explore, and if the Vikings know what’s good for them, frankly, in all due respect to Kirk Cousins and the team, they’ll decide to make a move.”

https://www.49erswebzone.com/articles/144249-jerry-rice-laughs-idea-49ers-should-pursue-cousins/

What?

Sure, Cousins’ contract is big. But, the negative impact for the Vikings that’d come from moving on from Cousins would require enough draft capital to replace Cousins’ output. With the 14th-pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, simply dumping Cousins’ deal for a non-top 5-7 pick makes little sense (as that’s the range for all of the so-called plug-and-play QB prospects (which doesn’t mean that they’re going to be as good as Cousins)). 

This topic was relayed to Niners great and “third or fourth” best wide receiver of all-time according to Randy Moss, Jerry Rice who said the following after he stopped laughing:

“Do you want the Ferrari or do you want the Mercedes?” Rice said on The Morning Roast. “I choose the Ferrari, and the Ferrari’s going to win you playoff (games), and the Ferrari is going to win you Super Bowls. So, I’m all-in on that.”

Rice isn’t wrong. Watson is better than Cousins, but he’ll also end up costing a lot more. Either way, Florio is wrong. If anyone knows how hard finding the level of output Cousins has produced since 2018 at the position it’s Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.

With Justin Jefferson already one of the best receivers in the NFL, Adam Thielen at the tail-end of his prime and Dalvin Cook piling up touches like a Catholic Church choirboy, this Vikings offense can’t wait for a season-or-two for a QB to develop. 

Let Rice laugh and the Niners trade and pay a King’s ransom for Watson. The Vikings are better with Cousins, Danielle Hunter and the first-and-third (and the cap space) it would require (minimum) to land Watson. 

Especially with Zimmer at the helm and Cook being the focal point. 

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