Potential Jets quarterback target issues forceful response to trade question

11 October 2023 , 21:24

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Robert Saleh and the New York Jets may explore the trade market for quarterbacks later this month. (Image: Getty Images)

The Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday moved one step closer to trading key veterans in a midseason sell-off that could include potential New York Jets target Kirk Cousins.

But Cousins forcefully told reporters to back off when asked about waiving his no-trade clause to join a contender. "You know I am just very focused on the Bears and going 1-0 this week, and anything else is not worth my time or energy or attention," Cousins said.

The Vikings have a 1-4 record and placed superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson on Injured Reserve on Wednesday because of a hamstring problem. He'll miss at least the next four games.

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The team had already considered exploring the trade market to begin a rebuild, according to multiple reports. Jefferson's absence could accelerate those plans before the October 31 NFL trade deadline.

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"Now we gotta, knowing we might not have [Jefferson] for a stretch here, we've got to change the way we look at it and we've got to get back to making sure that we have sound plays versus the looks we think we're going to get [with his talent]," acknowledged head coach Kevin O'Connell of the impact of his leading receiver's setback.

Cousins, who has spent the past six years with Minnesota, would need to approve any deal because of the no-trade clause in his contract. He's an impending free agent, so the Vikings could lose him for nothing next offseason if they don't find a midseason trade partner.

Analysts consider the Jets first in line for quarterbacks on the open market after Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles on the first drive of 2023. Head coach Robert Saleh has waffled on whether he will stick with fill-in signal-caller Zach Wilson for the rest of the season.

Kirk Cousins would need to waive his no-trade clause to join the New York Jets. (Getty Images)

After first committing fully to Wilson, Saleh turned around and signed veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian to the practice squad once Wilson struggled in the starting role.

Wilson rebounded with an admirable effort in a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and he defeated the Denver Broncos this past weekend despite throwing an interception. Still, Wilson's NFL numbers pale in comparison to what Cousins has done throughout his career.

Cousins has a career 98.0 passer rating with a 66.8 completion percentage and 265 passing touchdowns to 109 interceptions. Wilson has a 71.4 passer rating with a 56.5 completion percentage and 19 passing touchdowns to 23 interceptions.

Because the Jets have one of the highest-regarded defences in the NFL and quality offensive weapons such as Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, they may ultimately decide they're a new quarterback away from making a deep playoff run.

The wild card in all of this is whether Rodgers can make a surprising return from his torn Achilles before the end of the season. It would require the quickest recovery from the injury in NFL history, but he's insisted multiple times that he plans to play again.

Dan Bernstein