SF Cousins
Lance and a 2nd 2024 that could be a 1 in MN
Who says no?– Jacob (@Just1SBB4IDie) April 19, 2023
Me and my SKOR North teammates Phil Mackey and Declan Goff often engage in what we call reckless speculation. That means discussing potential trades and signings that some consider long-shot, if not impossible.
One example came early in the offseason when we discussed the possibility of Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins waiving his no-trade clause in order to join the San Francisco 49ers. As part of the return, the Vikings would get 2021 third overall pick Trey Lance.
Many rolled their eyes and declared that such discussion was foolish. But on Wednesday, Pro Football Talk reported the Vikings and 49ers talked about Lance at the Scouting Combine. The Vikings have made it clear they want to move on from Cousins — he turns 35 in August — after the final season of his contract in 2023.
There’s a chance they could even try to do it before this season, or at least consider that option. The 49ers make a lot of sense considering they made the NFC title game last season and have a team ready to win. The problem is they don’t have a quarterback ready to play at a high level.
Brock Purdy, the final pick in the 2022 draft, has had success as a starter but could miss the 2023 season after undergoing elbow surgery. Veteran Sam Darnold signed with the 49ers, but his career was far from successful, and Lance was lost to an ankle injury early in the season and remains an unknown.
It’s well known that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan has admired Cousins since their days together in Washington, and even though Lance lacks experience, he has three years remaining on his rookie contract, including the option fifth grade. This contract’s reasonable price and remaining term could provide Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell with an opportunity to see if the soon-to-be 23-year-old can become a franchise QB.
Jacob’s question regarding a second-round pick, which could turn into a first-round selection, going to Minnesota is an interesting one. There has been speculation (there’s that glorious word again) that Lance would be traded only for a second-round pick, so if the 49ers had a chance of getting Cousins back, it makes sense that they would be the ones to include a choice of return with attached conditions.
There are plenty of Cousins fans who would say no to that idea, sorry Jacob, but reports that the 49ers are getting calls on Lance (and that Minnesota has already inquired about him) make this question deserves to be discussed and certainly not dismissed.
