Steelers named trade destination for Vikings QB Kirk Cousins
The Halloween NFL trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Minnesota Vikings could be a major player in its proceedings.
Sitting at bleak 1-4 and All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson sidelined for at least the next four games, Kirk Cousins could be playing in his final Minnesota matchups. He’s in the final year of his contract, and trade rumors have been swirling for the past two.
Touchdown Wire’s Jarrett Bailey pitched the Pittsburgh Steelers as a destination for the veteran quarterback. The suggestion can be filed immediately under never-gonna-happen, but it makes for interesting fodder.
The Steelers will never move on from Kenny Pickett this early in his career. This isn’t the Cleveland Browns. Having a veteran presence take the reigns while learning from the four-time Pro Bowler isn’t a bad idea, it’s just a little backward. It might’ve been wise to bring in an experienced starter with wins under his belt before they drafted Pickett, but I suppose that’s what they saw in Mitch Trubisky. Pickett hasn’t screwed up so royally that Mike Tomlin has even considered benching him. If something serious had happened to the second-year QB, Omar Khan would be on the phone with Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in a heartbeat.
But Pittsburgh would not be so foolish as to waste draft or player capital to temporarily shake up the quarterback position. Bailey believes the Steelers would benefit from benching Pickett for Cousins, but that’s not a given. While Pickett has issues that aren’t Matt Canada‘s doing, the offensive coordinator is at the root of the team’s offensive woes. Until he’s gone, there’s no telling what even a guy like Cousins could do.
According to Over the Cap, Minnesota would owe Cousins $28.5 million if he’s still on the roster on March 15. Getting something in return for him while they can is smart. It’s just not going to be from Pittsburgh.
