49ers Targeting Kirk Cousins Now that Matthew Stafford is Off the Trade Market

One trade domino has fallen early in the 2021 offseason, with Matthew Stafford headed to the Los Angeles Rams. Many franchises were said to be interested in Stafford, with the San Francisco 49ers expected at some point as the team to land the quarterback before the Rams deal.

With Stafford now off the market, San Fran could set its sets on a new target.

#49ers still looking to make a move at QB. Kirk Cousins, I'm told, is a name to keep an eye on. If #Vikings are open to dealing, San Francisco will push hard to acquire him. Ties with Shanahan make this an intriguing potential fit.
— Evan Massey (@massey_evan) February 1, 2021

The 49ers may be aggressive in pursuing Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins if he's made available in a trade. Cousins certainly isn't the splashiest name in an offseason with Stafford and Deshaun Watson available, but he could give San Francisco a much-needed shakeup in 2021.

It's abundantly clear that the 49ers are trying to find a new QB to replace Jimmy Garoppolo. Trading for Stafford would've been one option, but the meager trade package they offered shows that they don't want to mortgage their future.

Pursuing an option like Cousins, who might not require as many assets as Stafford to reasonably acquire, is a smart move for the 49ers if they're dead set on having a non-Jimmy G starter in 2021.

Cousins is coming off of 4,2365 yards and 35 passing TDs, and he'd be positioned for even bigger numbers with San Francisco. Plus, a reunion with Kyle Shanahan may help boost his play even more.

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