Another day, another week, another month, another “Kirk Cousins to 49ers” theory from the national sports media.
Rumors of a reunion between the Vikings quarterback and San Francisco’s head coach Kyle Shanahan have provided click-fuel for sports sites for the past two years now – and we are by no means immune to it ourselves.
But it feels like if it was going to happen this year, it would have happened long before now.
This hasn’t stopped Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon speculating in an article about 2023 season “hypotheticals” about a possible mid-season blockbuster move that would send Cousins to the 49ers, who enter the 2023 season as one of the Super Bowl favorites.
The reason? The ongoing uncertainty over the quality at quarterback in San Fran.
“Brock Purdy is a sophomore seventh-round pick with just five regular-season starts under his belt and is coming back from a significant shoulder injury. Trey Lance hasn’t been able to stay on the field and has already seemingly taken a back seat to Mr. Irrelevant. And Sam Darnold hasn’t done much of anything in five years to indicate he can become a solid NFL starter.What if the 49ers discover early this season that none of those three have what it takes to get the job done?”
Gagnon posits Cousins or Tennessee Titans’ QB Ryan Tannehill as possible moves for a “proven veteran” by the 49ers. However, any mid-season move would likely come with a steep, steep draft cost considering the Vikings and Titans are likely to be battling for playoff spots in their respective divisions – even with Cousins out of contract at the end of the season.
In any case, Cousins is approaching the season looking very settled in Minnesota, and with growing optimism that last year’s excellent offense could get even better following the addition of wide receiver 1st-round draft pick Jordan Addison.
With Cousins only extended for a year, there is always the possibility of a Shanahan reunion next season if the 49ers coach still wants a veteran signal-caller, so let’s looking forward to the “Cousins to 49ers” narrative in 2024.
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