Five potential trade targets for Vikings to replace injured QB Kirk Cousins

The Minnesota Vikings will embark on the rest of the 2023 campaign without starting quarterback Kirk Cousins, who reportedly suffered a torn Achilles in the 24-10 Week 8 win against the Green Bay Packers, ending his season. 

The Vikings could decide to ride with backups Jaren Hall or Sean Mannion to fill Cousins’ shoes, but if they choose to go the trade route, here are five names to consider: 

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

While certainly not the sexy choice, there aren’t many available QBs with experience like Tannehill’s. Nursing a high-ankle sprain, Tannehill is on track to return soon, perhaps by Week 9. Yet, considering the direction of the Titans franchise and rookie Will Levis’ four-touchdown debut in Week 8 against the Falcons, Tannehill may never get his job back. If the Titans are ready to hand the reins over to Levis, they’ll probably look to get what they can for Tannehill, who is in the final year of a four-year, $118 million contract. 

Tannehill struggled before his injury, completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,128 yards, two touchdowns, six interceptions and a 71.9 passer rating. However, he’s been highly productive for the Titans, going 38-23 as a starter while throwing for 13,959 yards with a 66.4 completion percentage, 91 touchdown passes, 39 interceptions and a 98 QB rating. 

If the Vikings prefer a veteran to fill in for Cousins, Tannehill could be a relatively cheap option with no long-term commitment.  

Sam Darnold, San Francisco 49ers 

The former No. 3 overall pick never met expectations with the New York Jets, but he’s coming off arguably his best season. In 2022, with the Carolina Panthers, Darnold completed 58.6 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,143 yards with seven touchdowns and three interceptions for a 92.6 passer rating, the highest of his career. Furthermore, he went 4-2 in six starts with the Panthers. 

Darnold has yet to see much action behind 49ers starter Brock Purdy in 2023, going 1-for-1 for one yard during a brief relief appearance in a blowout victory against the Cowboys. However, he’s seen plenty of playing time in his career, starting 17 games over two seasons with the Panthers after making 38 starts in three years with the Jets. 

Like Cousins, Darnold is a free agent after the 2023 campaign, so the Vikings wouldn’t be on the hook beyond this season. 

Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints 

From one top pick to another, Winston, a former No. 1 overall choice, is an insurance policy behind four-time Pro Bowler Derek Carr on the New Orleans Saints depth chart but could be had for the right price.  

While Winston has started only three games (1-2) over the past two seasons, he’s shown the ability to lead an NFL team. In 2021, Winston went 5-2 in seven starts for the Saints, throwing for 1,170 yards with a 59.0 completion percentage), 14 touchdowns and three interceptions for a 102.8 passer rating. 

Acquiring Winston from the Saints might be tricky and more expensive than the others on this list. In the NFL, information is king, and most will do anything legal (and illegal) to get it, especially on upcoming opponents. With a matchup against the Vikings around the corner in Week 10, the Saints might think twice about dealing Winston and all he has stored on them to Minnesota.  

Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers

Dalton has the most experience of any QB on this list, starting at least one game since his rookie season in 2011 with 163 career starts to date. While far removed from his Pro Bowl days with the Cincinnati Bengals, Dalton still has proved capable when called upon and carved himself a solid niche as a backup during the twilight of his career. 

The 36-year-old has seen action in three games this year, starting one, with 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young the starter in Carolina. He’s been serviceable when on the field, completing 34-of-58 passes for 361 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. 

Like Tannehill and Winston, Dalton would likely make a smooth transition to Minnesota. How much he moves the needle when it comes to success is debatable, though, considering he carries a career record near .500 (83-78-2) as a starter. 

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals 

Murray is the home run pick, but even he isn’t that tantalizing. The former No. 1 pick has shown flashes of brilliance over four seasons but hasn’t played since Week 14 of 2022 after suffering a year-ending ACL injury. 

It’s unclear what type of player Murray will be post-injury, but he reportedly took first-team reps with the Cardinals ahead of their Week 8 contest and is nearing a return. However, Arizona is 1-7, and Murray might not fit in the team’s plans moving forward.

Murray has his question marks, but he also has the highest potential upside. That likely means the cost of a trade for Minnesota would be substantial. He’s also expensive, with five more guaranteed seasons left on a $230.5 million contract. 

As unlikely as a trade for Murray might be, it could be attractive to the Vikings. Cousins will be a free agent at season’s end, so acquiring Murray could kill two birds with one stone, giving them a QB for the rest of the season and the future. 

Replacing Cousins, who hadn’t missed due to injury since joining the Vikings, will be challenging. Entering Week 8, Cousins was first in the NFL in passing touchdowns (16), second in yards (2,057) and fourth in passer rating (101.7). Furthermore, the Vikings were beginning to heat up behind Cousins, winning three of their last four games after an 0-3 start. 

Nevertheless, injuries are an unfortunate part of football, and the Vikings must now move on without Cousins, looking for a new face to lead the team through the back half of the year.