Vikings Could Be A Sleeper Trade Destination For Deshaun Watson

Deshaun Watson, Vikings
NFL Analysis Network

The Minnesota Vikings cleaned house after the 2021 season. They fired general manager Rick Spielman and head coach Mike Zimmer, as they will be under new leadership for 2022.

This is one of the more attractive job openings in the NFL because there is a lot of talent on this roster. The offense is built around Dalvin Cook at running back with budding star Justin Jefferson and productive veteran Adam Thielen at wide receiver.

Kirk Cousins has been a solid option at quarterback, but to reach the heights that ownership believes they are capable of, they could look to make a change there. With the front office and coaching staff that pushed to acquire him now gone, could Cousins soon be replaced as well?

It is hard to imagine the Vikings straight out cutting Cousins, who carries a $45 million dead cap hit for the upcoming season should they move on from him. If they decide to move on from Cousins, could Deshaun Watson of the Houston Texans be on their radar?

NFL insider Jordan Schultz shared an update about Watson, and the Vikings are considered the biggest sleeper to acquire him.

“Sources tell me the biggest sleeper in the Deshaun Watson sweepstakes—the Minnesota Vikings,” said Schultz on Take The Points. “The key element here, No. 1, is that Deshaun, who has a no-trade clause, I’m told, would at least consider waiving it to play in Minnesota. Secondly, the Vikings, even without a GM and head coach right now, believe internally that Kirk Cousins is not a Super Bowl-caliber quarterback.”

While some fans would be excited to hear that, there are some hurdles to clear when it comes to Watson returning to the field. He is facing 22 civil lawsuits for sexual misconduct that need to be straightened out before a team can even consider acquiring him.

Would the Texans have any interest in taking Cousins back in a deal? His contract is expensive, making it inconceivable that Minnesota would hold onto both.

There is also the price it would take to acquire Watson. When he is on the field, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the business. Very rarely do 26-year old franchise quarterbacks become available, so you can be sure it will be expensive to land him.

At one point, three first-round picks sounded like the price tag that was put on Watson. Given his off-field issues, that price could be lowered slightly, but no one is going to take him unless they know for sure that he can return to the field without any issue.

Should the Vikings ultimately land Watson, they would have one of the best offenses in the NFL. Trying to slow down that group will give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares.

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