PurplePTSD: Questions Answered: Cousins Implications After Wilson/Rodgers, Sugarman Out, Movement Inactivity

Press release from the PurplePTSD:

Dustin Baker

2022-03-09

The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by PurplePTSD. Today is the March 9th edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.

Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.

Q: With Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers off the market, what happens to Kirk Cousins’ trade stock?

A: It goes through the roof. He’s the last man standing, we think, on the open trade market.

If the Vikings weren’t listening to trade offers before — they probably were — the time is now. With Rodgers staying at home, Wilson to Denver, Watson uncertain, and Murray probably safe in Arizona, Cousins instantly becomes a hot commodity.

Of course, the Broncos made the most sense for Cousins’ services, so now trade partners like the Panthers, Browns, or Buccanneers move the front.

The Kirk Cousins Sweepstake became very fascinating on Tuesday.

Q: Why did the Vikings suddenly get rid of the athletic trainer?

A: We do not know the specifics.

The only thing that can be gleaned from the move is a fresh start — all over the place for the Vikings.

The timing was wonky — why bring Sugarman to the NFL Combine? Who knows. Regardless, from head to toe, everything the Vikings have done since the morning of January 10th (Spielman, Zimmer firings) has been change-oriented.

And that extended on down to the trainer in March.

Q: Why haven’t the Vikings done anything to get under the cap?

A: This general management regime is new. They won’t necessarily follow in the footsteps of Rick Spielman. By now on the usual February-March calendar, moves already transpired as Spielman sought to clear cap space.

Evidently, Adofo-Mensah is more deliberative because there is zero chance he’ll be delinquent for cap compliance, which is required by March 16th.

Patience is a virtue.

Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. His YouTube Channel, VikesNow, debuts in March 2022. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sally from Minneapolis. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).

This press release was produced by the PurplePTSD. The views expressed here are the author’s own.