Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk heard that one topic of discussion involved a potential new quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers. It's a name that The Faithful has heard before and, for many, hoped they would not hear again.
"Apparently, at the scouting combine, there was some chatter, there was some noise among people within the broader league structure, not media, but people in the league, about Cousins being traded to the 49ers," Florio recently said on Pro Football Talk Live (h/t to FanNation for the find). "That was a hot topic at one point in Indianapolis."
The 49ers have uncertainty at quarterback. Brock Purdy would be the frontrunner to start Week 1 if he weren't recovering from the March 10 surgery to repair the tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in his right elbow. The quarterback's recovery will likely take him into September, perhaps beyond.
That leaves an inexperienced Trey Lance and veteran addition Sam Darnold to fight it out over the offseason to earn that Week 1 starting job, should Purdy not be ready. So it's easy to understand why the 49ers might look at all possibilities, even Cousins, especially if they learn that Purdy might be sidelined longer than hoped.
Florio suggests that a trade for Cousins would likely mean Lance heading to the Minnesota Vikings.
"And at this point, Cousins has redone his deal," Florio said. "It's a $38 million cap charge. But you know what? If you're going to swap out Kirk Cousins, you bring in a guy who's under a low-cost contract, like a Trey Lance. Trey Lance, North Dakota State, close to home, gets a chance to resurrect his career."
The 49ers made Lance the No. 3 overall draft pick in 2021. He has since started only four games, ending this past season prematurely after suffering an ankle injury.
"And I feel bad for Trey Lance," Florio notes. "Tough situation. He had no say, no power, honor and a privilege to be thrust into a situation where you have the high expectations of being the third overall pick, heightened by playing for a great team, heightened by everything they gave up to get in position to get you. You're the guy they gave up three ones and a three to get, and all you can go is down. He needs a fresh start."
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers to meet with Missouri LB after NFL Combine snub
Former Missouri linebacker Khalil Jacobs was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, but he is still drawing interest ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, including from the San Francisco 49ers. Jacobs is scheduled to participate in Missouri's Pro Day on March 20, where multiple NFL... -
49ers NFL Combine Watch: Offensive Line Risers and Fallers Shake Up Draft Boards
Day 4 of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine belonged to the big men in the trenches, and several offensive linemen used the spotlight to shift their draft stock dramatically. For teams like the San Francisco 49ers — who continue searching for long-term stability along the... -
49ers post-Combine mock draft roundup: Offensive playmakers emerge as Round 1 targets
With the NFL Scouting Combine complete in Indianapolis, analysts are updating their 2026 NFL mock drafts based on workout data and team needs. A clear theme has emerged for the 49ers: add an offensive playmaker to support quarterback Brock Purdy. Two projections have San... -
Report: 49ers in play for Maxx Crosby; Mac Jones trade market cools
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine has concluded, but speculation surrounding Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby continues to build. According to Matt Barrows and Vic Tafur of The Athletic, the San Francisco 49ers are among several teams monitoring the veteran pass rusher's...