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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Robert Zeglinski

Kirk Cousins downplayed Vikings trade rumors with the most Belichick-esque response

Kirk Cousins Vikings Bears Bill Belichick

The Minnesota Vikings are in a tailspin and have no way to pull themselves out of it. With Justin Jefferson out for the foreseeable future, thanks to a hamstring injury, it’s obvious that this 1-4 Minnesota team should be punting on 2023 with a firesale so it can attempt a larger-scale rebuild.

The person likely at the center of any potential trade discussions in the coming weeks is veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Now in his 12th season, the 35-year-old is still playing well by his standards — putting up lots of lofty numbers, committing inexplicable turnovers at the worst possible time — but it’s readily apparent he would probably be best served to play on a winning team (or any team with a chance at January). Never mind that he’ll be an unrestricted free agent in 2024 and potentially won’t return to Minnesota next year anyway.

When Cousins spoke to a gathered media contingent Wednesday, a reporter who has connected these dots asked him whether he’d waive a no-trade clause to be moved. Cousins didn’t hesitate with his answer. He immediately transitioned to a Bill Belichick-like response, saying he’s just focused on beating the Chicago Bears this Sunday. Nothing more.

Hmm. That’s not a denial!

If I were a betting man, I’d say Cousins understands the rumors he’s been a part of very well. The veteran has likely heard aplenty about how he could seemingly lift the fledgling New York Jets up off the mat in recent weeks. He’s not stupid or blissfully unaware of his or his team’s situation. But he also knows that it doesn’t serve anyone involved to openly talk about trades in front of a microphone. That is a surefire path to ruining any leverage for the Vikings and himself to actually leave Minnesota.

So, Cousins probably really is just focused on the Bears — for now.

This is how Twitter reacted

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