The Minnesota Vikings are off to a false start in the NFL season. The playoffs are a long way away. It’s time to trade Kirk Cousins. Comment.

The Minnesota Vikings concede the next bitter defeat in the 24:28 against the Los Angeles Chargers. It was the third defeat in a row – the false start for the Vikings, who started with play-off ambitions, can no longer be explained away.

The postseason is – at least statistically – almost out of reach. Of 99 teams in NFL history that started the season with a record of 0-3, only one (!) made the playoffs.

Minnesota’s front office must now face reality and think about the future of the franchise. It’s time to trade Kirk Cousins.

The 35-year-old is certainly not the main culprit for the poor results – quite the opposite! Cousins leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns.

But the truth is that while Cousins is a very good quarterback, he’s just not good enough to lead a squad with many holes to a deep playoff run. That would take a playmaker of Patrick Mahomes’ calibre.

Despite the improved scheme under Brian Flores, the defense just isn’t good enough for the playoffs. The offense is one of the best in the NFL in terms of individual talent, but it commits too many turnovers.

The New York Giants already made it clear that this team does not meet its own high standards. The approach of a “competitive rebuild” – i.e. a new start, but with the intention of remaining competitive – has not paid off.

Minnesota Vikings need draft picks now

Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah should pull the rip cord and take advantage of Cousins’ strong form to negotiate the maximum draft pick consideration. Minnesota will have to look at a Cousins successor after the season anyway, with the 35-year-old’s contract ending then.

A trade now would ensure the Vikings lose more games and have an earlier turn in the upcoming draft. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are considered potential franchise quarterbacks by scouting experts.

If the team replaces Cousins’ mega-salary with a rookie contract, more money would also be available to bolster the crumbling defence and offensive line. And a certain Justin Jefferson needs to be paid, too.

NFL: Kirk Cousins would also benefit from a trade

For Cousins, a trade would also be a release for which he should waive his no-trade clause veto. He was brought in years ago to be game manager and lead an already strong team to the Super Bowl. Since then, the omens have changed drastically. Ultimately, the Cousins era failed – in part due to factors beyond his control.

A taker would surely be found. The New York Jets could salvage their season with a Cousins trade and send a 2025 first-round pick to Minnesota in return.

Do the San Francisco 49ers trade for Cousins?

Or maybe Kyle Shanahan will strike and bring his former model student to San Francisco to be ready for all injury scenarios.

Cousins gets a chance to win a title after all. Vikings head coach and quarterback specialist Kevin O’Connell can devise a new offence around “his” chosen playmaker – a win-win situation for all sides.

For that to happen, the front office has to overcome their own pride and admit that their plan didn’t work. Then this messed-up season can become the cornerstone of a new, more successful era.