Kirk to Pittsburgh? Trade Cousins?

I don't buy the narrative that Goff was such a distressed asset that they had to pay to unload him. The Carson Wentz comparison and trade compensation is too clear. Goff and Wentz were on very similar contracts signed in 2019, both 4 years, Goff: $134M ($57M gtd), Wentz $128M ($66m gtd), with similar base salaries in 2021-2024. $6M over 4 years is peanuts on a QB deal.

Then compare the years they had before they were traded:
Wentz
- 218 yards per game
- 57.4% Completion
- 16 TD : 15 INT
- 267 Rush yards (10 fumbles)

Goff
- 263 yards per game
- 67.0% Copletion
- 20 TD : 13 INT
- 99 rush yards (7 fumbles)

Both had prior good seasons but it was clear their teams wanted to move on. Wentz was horrible, much worse than Goff on a nearly identical contract. Even still, Wentz returned a 2nd (or 1st) back in trade; and if Wentz has positive trade value, then Goff certainly does.

Looking at it another way: if the Rams could have traded 2 firsts to get Stafford without giving up Goff, then flipped Goff for something else, I'm sure they would have. The Lions would have wanted a starting QB back in the deal.

Thinking about it a little more... after watching Wentz play horribly in 2020, no fanbase would have wanted their team to acquire him in a trade, yet the Colts send the Eagles a 3rd and a 2022 1st for him. They did have the advantage of Reich's familiarity with him - and Kirk's only real "familiarity" landing spot would be San Fran, who have closed the door on that. Wentz also had 4 years left on his deal while Kirk only has 1, so that is another difference.

That conversion of salary to bonus is part of why I think that Goff was not a negative value.  Doing that makes it even harder to move on from Goff after the 2021 season.  If the Lions really were in full tear it down mode, and they knew that Goff was so terrible that he couldn't possibly contribute to the team, they don't make that conversion.  They would dump as much of his cap hit into 2021 as possible.  The Colts are the ones who are actually behaving as if they aren't sure if Wentz is an actual QB or a 1 year filler. Colts could have bought themselves extra cap space as well, but chose not to so they could move on from Wentz if he continued to look like he did in Philadelphia.

When the Lions converted that salary to bonus, it's an indication that they want Goff to actually play the quarterback position, not just be currency for more picks.  Even if his 2022 season is as a placeholder as they groom a 2022 rookie, that's still the better part of 2 years as a starting QB - that that has significant trade value in the NFL.  This is a very reasonable position considering he was a coming off a 10-6 season, with playoff appearances in 3 of his first for 4 years, with 1 super bowl appearance.  

The Stafford / Goff trade doesn't indicate how bad of a contract Goff was on, it highlights how very expensive it is to trade for an upgrade at QB.  

If Kirk is indeed trade material this off-season (I have nightmares Cousins, Zimmer, and Ricky will still be here next year and all 3 will get extensions) the Vikings better use Mond now. But they wont because Zimmer doesnt like QB competition while Cousins is around. Mond is going to need a lot of time practicing with the first string players. And the LAST Thing we need is Ricky getting desperate, and panic to get some washed up or over rated QB in FA. A lot of our fate depends on trading Cousins ASAP and getting Mond practice time playing real games now. Some people are so hard on Mond and hes hasnt played in a real NFL game yet. Credit Kirk for being in great shape and playing through pain.

The calls to start Kellen Mond right now is flat out wonky.

This fanbase has lost its mind. Cmon people gather yourselves... Be rational.

Looks like Carr might be getting benched in Vegas for Marriota. That would hurt what was already a pretty weak sellers market for QBs next off season. Why would anyone trade anything for Kirk and his 35 million cap hit when you could get Carr for 19? There might be plenty of teams lookin at an upgrade for QB, but there are only so many in win now mode and with Rodgers, Wilson, Watson and now Carr possibly available, Cousins might be the 5th best option for those win now teams.