Despite rumors to the contrary, it seems unlikely that the San Francisco 49ers will trade for Vikings QB Kirk Cousins during the upcoming NFL offseason.…
One of the biggest reasons for this is that Cousins is currently under contract with the Vikings, and the team would have to release him or work out a trade deal in order for him to become available. However, due to league rules, Cousins cannot be traded until June 1st of the NFL new year.Furthermore, even if Cousins were available, it's not clear that he would be a good fit for the 49ers. While he has certainly had some success during his time in the league, he is also known for being somewhat inconsistent and turnover-prone.
In contrast, the 49ers have been building their team around a strong defense and a powerful running game, with quarterback play taking a more complementary role. This approach has been effective in recent years, with the team making it to the Super Bowl in 2019.
In addition, the 49ers already have several quarterbacks on their roster, including of course Trey Lance - who is not going to be traded as discussed yesterday. While there has been some speculation that the team could move on from Lance it's not happening, nor, is it clear that bringing in Cousins would be a better option.
One potential factor that could make a Cousins trade more appealing is his familiarity with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan was Cousins' offensive coordinator when he was with the Washington Football Team, and the two reportedly have a good relationship.
However, even if Shanahan has a high opinion of Cousins, it's not clear that the quarterback would be a good fit for the 49ers' system. Cousins is known for his ability to throw the ball downfield, but the 49ers' offense is built around short-to-intermediate passes and a strong rushing attack.
All of these factors suggest that a Cousins trade is unlikely for the 49ers. While it's always possible that the team could change course and pursue him, it seems more likely that they will focus on developing their current quarterbacks and building a team that can win with a balanced, complementary approach.