Minnesota Vikings Included in Bold Prediction on NFL Trade Deadline

The Minnesota Vikings have had a long week so far. It hasn't been a week yet.

The Vikings suffered their first loss of the season to the Detroit Lions after a 6-0 start to the season. And while we figured the loss was coming, we did not expect it to be here so soon.

The Minnesota offense let the team down once again in the 19-15 loss to Detroit. Now, some are speculating on the possibility they could make a move to improve their offense at the trade deadline.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen discussed the possibility that former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins could be traded, listing him as the No. 22 most likely trade candidate with the Vikings as one of the three most likely suitors.

The publication gave him a 20% chance to be traded before the deadline. Here's some of what they had to say on the possible move.

"What Fowler is hearing: Cousins played well enough through seven games that he has trade value. So does his contract, which after being reworked features a $1.3 million base salary. Aidan O'Connell, the Raiders' QB3, is a former starter who could slide into the primary backup role to Fernando Mendoza if Las Vegas is ready to start the rookie. There are no glaring needs at quarterback leaguewide, but injuries happen every week. The Raiders have not planned to be overly active at the deadline.

What Bowen sees on tape: He's a pocket thrower who wins with timing and ball location. Cousins can read it out post-snap and play as a ball distributor. He lacks the mobility to make plays outside of structure at a consistent rate, but he can get to the edges on boot concepts, and he fits best in a system that incorporates play-action elements. Cousins has thrown 16 touchdown passes and five interceptions this season."

Cousins is No. 3 in the NFL in passing yards and No. 2 in passing touchdowns with just one less score than Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Most impressive, perhaps, is that he has the Raiders, who had the No. 1 pick in the draft last spring, at a 4-4 record.

Whether or not Cousins would be the fix that the Vikings are looking for is still to be seen. Cousins did not struggle to put up stats in Minnesota. He simply struggled to win the big games.

Still, given how good the defense has been for the Vikings, an offensive spark could go a long way. We'll monitor whether or not the Vikings make the move or stand pat at quarterback.