With NFL parity, I think way too much emphasis is put on the one score game analysis. Sure, there are blow outs every weekend but most games end up being fairly closely scored, even if not that closely paid. Is this Vikings team a couple of bad bounces away from being contenders? No.
The problem with this team is that a few skill players are absorbing way too much of the salary cap and it only stands to get worse. I like Cousins. I think he's a good to very good QB but he is not great. Very few QBs are good enough to command the percentage of cap that he does and still compete for championships. In fact, Mahomes might be the only guy that fits that bill. If Jefferson resets the receiver market, you have Cousins, JJ and TJH getting a big chunk of the cap. How do you improve the defense and the OL? The draft? That takes time and at this point, the window to win with these guys is closed.
Who knows if Kirk would waive his no trade clause but in my mind, a reverse Sam Bradford for NYJ's #1 pick would be great but at this point, NYJ might be content to throw their hat into the CW lottery.
I don't think trading JJ should be off the table either. He has significant value but would be a detriment to a rebuild, financial and, as inevitably happens with recievers, will become frustrated with any new QB. I don't think this team is a player or two away. The cupboard is pretty bare. Unless Cousins is willing to take a significant cut, JJ is willing to sign for less than market reset, and there's a way to cut a ton of dead weight and free up salary, I don't see how there's an alternative to a rebuild.
