Kirk Cousins breaks silence on whether he’d waive his no-trade clause with the Vikings amid numerous trade rumors following 1-4 start

Cousins said his only focus is on the next game, anything other than that doesn't warrant his attention.

Kirk Cousins breaks silence on whether he’d waive his no-trade clause with the Vikings amid numerous trade rumors following 1-4 start

Kirk Cousins contract with the Minnesota Vikings is up at the end of this season (Image via IMAGO)

The Minnesota Vikings are off to a bad start to the 2023 season, which has prompted rumors about a possible trade that circles around quarterback Kirk Cousins. But the 35-year-old’s focus is not the October 31 deadline but rather the next fixture.

“I am just very focused on the [Chicago] Bears and going 1-0 this week,” Cousins told the press on Wednesday. “Anything else is not worth my time or attention.”

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His contract is coming to an end next March, which means he will become a free agent. However, the recent changes in circumstances have shifted the dynamic slightly. The Vikings have placed wide receiver Justin Jefferson on the injured reserve list. He will be out for at least 3 to 4 weeks.

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Losing arguably the best playmaker in the league for a team that has yet to register a win is a massive blow. That’s why many are pondering what the next course of action will be for the Vikings front office. Considering their dire predicament, ESPN’s Power Index suggests they have better odds of getting a top-10 pick in next year’s draft than playing in the playoffs in the 2023 season. But to do that, some of the players need to be let go by the trade deadline.

One easy way to ease the problem would be for Cousins to waive the no-trade clause in his contract. This would allow the Vikings to trade for extra picks in the draft, and the four-time Pro Bowler wouldn’t go into free agency. However, he doesn’t want to discuss that in public.

“Ignorance is bliss,” he said. “I don’t really have access to a whole lot, and that’s by design. It’s pretty intentional.”

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Kirk Cousins still has a lot to give to the NFL

Despite the dodgy start for Minnesota, not everything has been doom and gloom. Cousins’ output remains solid as ever. Throughout the 5 games in which they have only registered 1 victory, the former commander’s player has been a beacon of hope.

Kirk Cousins breaks silence on whether he'd waive his no-trade clause with the Vikings amid numerous trade rumors following 1-4 start
(Image via Sports Illustrated)

He kept the Vikings competitive, losing only seven or fewer points each time, including a 27-20 loss to the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Cousins has thrown 1,498 yards with a respectable 67.2 percent completion rate along with 13 touchdowns over the first five weeks. He is on course to exceed last season’s 4,547 yards and 29 touchdowns, in which the Vikings finished 13-4 in the regular season.

Then again, things need to change very soon. It was already bad enough with Jefferson on the team; now without him, it will be tougher to carve out positive results.

The Vikings do have some interesting players whom they can count on. Wide receiver Jordan Addison and running back Alexander Mattison have been good in an otherwise unimpressive offense.

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