An reunion turned official forward of Tuesday’s NFL commerce deadline when it was realized {that a} Minnesota Vikings crew in determined want of an upgrade at quarterback was sending the Las Vegas Raiders a 2027 third-round draft choose for veteran Kirk Cousins.
It feels like bringing Cousins again to Minnesota might not have been the Vikings’ first alternative.
Vikings additionally did homework on potential commerce for…
In keeping with NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, the Vikings “additionally inquired about” Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers, Daniel Jones of the Indianapolis Colts and Geno Smith of the New York Jets. Schultz steered that none of these signal-callers turned life like choices for the Vikings earlier than Minnesota agreed to accumulate Cousins.
What the Vikings realized about Justin Herbert
“The Chargers, I’m instructed, instantly shut down all inquiries for Herbert, who additionally has a no-trade clause,” Schultz revealed.
The Chargers signed Herbert to a five-year, $262.5M contract extension in the summertime of 2023, however the 28-year-old turned the topic of trade rumors this fall earlier than the Chargers fell to 0-8 on the season. That mentioned, the Chargers seemingly weren’t prepared to hit a figurative reset button forward of the commerce deadline and can now possible maintain onto Herbert via a minimum of the beginning of the 2027 marketing campaign.
What the Vikings realized about Daniel Jones
Jones labored with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell when the signal-caller was with Minnesota from late November 2024 via the tip of that season. Whereas the Colts began a fireplace sale earlier than they fell to 2-7 this previous Sunday, they reportedly instructed Jones earlier within the weekend that he wouldn’t be traded.
“The Colts listened however didn’t wish to transfer Jones,” Schultz defined.
Why the Jets held onto Geno Smith
Earlier than phrase in regards to the Cousins commerce broke, it was reported that the 2-7 Jets nonetheless wished to offer head coach Aaron Glenn “each alternative to point out he can/cannot be this crew’s coach shifting ahead,” which is why that membership didn’t “wish to promote away gamers who can assist him try this.”
In keeping with Schultz, “the Jets felt Smith was too essential to the crew and the event of different gamers.” It stays to be seen whether or not such improvement can assist Glenn maintain his job via the upcoming offseason.
