3 realistic Kirk Cousins trades the Vikings should make

1. A reunion by the Bay?

Before the San Francisco 49ers traded for Jimmy Garoppolo in 2017, strong signs pointed to them pursuing Cousins when he hit free agency. Of course that went by the wayside, but the possibility Kyle Shanahan still wants Cousins if or when he’s available again has lingered. If this 2018 comment from general manager John Lynch still holds water, it might still be the 49ers’ head coach’s “master plan” to have Cousins as his quarterback.

“For Kyle, I think the thing I would tell people is, we made the trade, but then there were some days that Kyle Shanahan was like in mourning, because I think everybody knows his master plan was to have Kirk Cousins come in eventually,” he said.

Shanahan was the offensive coordinator in Washington during Cousins’ first two NFL seasons. The sample size then was small, as Cousins made just four starts with Shanahan calling the plays. But Cousins has run a similarly-principled offense over the last couple seasons in Minnesota, with Gary Kubiak as an advisor and then offensive coordinator. So the transition should be smooth.

The 49ers may only move on Garoppolo if they can make a big move (Deshaun Watson) to do it. But if Shanahan still loves Cousins, he definitely has Lynch’s ear enough to advocate for that trade as a viable second option. If Lynch has shown anything, it’s that he’ll leave no stone unturned and no trade-ask or possible deal is off the table.

Here’s how Cousins could reunite with Shanahan in a deal the Vikings would have to consider.