The Vikings will have plenty of options to consider if they lose to the Panthers on Sunday and fall to 0-4, and former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski said that one of those ideas should involve parting with Kirk Cousins.
And if that’s the case, then Gronkowski — who won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and one with the Buccaneers alongside Tom Brady — would want to see the Jets make an attempt to land Cousins.
It could fix their quarterback situation as Aaron Rodgers continues recovering from a torn Achilles and Zach Wilson struggling in his first two starts.
“If [for] some reason the Vikings lose, Kirk Cousins should be shipped out 100 percent, and he should be shipped out to the New York Jets,” Gronkowski said Wednesday during an interview on the “Up & Adams” show. “And why I think that makes sense is because it’s his last year on his contract.
“Yes, you’re going to get Aaron Rodgers back next year with the Jets, but they need to fix that quarterback position this year if they want to win some games — and it makes sense having his contract expire after this year.”
Gronkowski added that acquiring Cousins would make the Jets “competitive” and “fun to watch again.”
Since Rodgers sustained his injury on the fourth offensive snap of their season, the Jets’ offense has struggled with Zach Wilson as the signal-caller, with the 24-year-old throwing for 327 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in losses to the Cowboys and Patriots.
The Jets signed Trevor Siemian to their practice squad earlier this week, and he’ll add to a quarterback room that, until that point, featured just Wilson and backup Tim Boyle.
But it might be difficult for Gronkowski that trade to happen, though.
The Panthers are 0-3, and they’ll have Bryce Young returning from an ankle injury that forced Andy Dalton to start in Week 3.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter also addressed the Cousins rumor Monday on “The Pat McAfee Show” and said “there’s nothing to that right now.”
“That’s the one that, honestly, is a logical fit for both sides, if the Vikings want to do that,” Schefter said during his interview. “At that point, they’re punting on their season. Who are they turning it over to? Nick Mullens? What are you doing if you’re the Vikings? It would send a bad message if you send Kirk Cousins away at this point in time.”
Cousins leads the NFL with 1,075 passing yards, throwing for at least 340 yards in losses to the Buccaneers, Eagles and Chargers.
