With free agency less than a month away, speculation is beginning to pick up around Kirk Cousins. The Redskins quarterback is set to hit the open market after the team pulled off a trade for Alex Smith in recent weeks and there are expected to be plenty of suitors.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Jets are willing to pay whatever it takes to land the star free agent. This comes on the heels of news out of Denver that the Broncos are also all in on the quarterback.
That’s just the beginning of the list of suitors who are expected to be in play for the fifth-year signal-caller. The Browns, Vikings and Cardinals could all make a run at Cousins, who is expected to become the highest-paid player in NFL history once he decides on a team.
Here is a collection of the latest rumors and predictions surrounding the top free agent:
- The MMQB’s Peter King predicted landing spots for all free agent and draft-eligible quarterbacks and pegged Cousins to the Broncos. King notes Cousins’ reported desire to win and John Elway’s willingness to swing for the fences as reasons for the move. King also says that Elway appears ready to move defenders like Aqib Talib and Derek Wolfe to create the cap room to go after his guy. Among other noted quarterbacks, King listed A.J. McCarron to the Cardinals, Sam Darnold and Sam Bradford to the Browns, and Case Keenum and Teddy Bridgewater to the Vikings.
- If his teammates have any insight on the situation, then Cousins might be indeed headed for Denver. Redskins safety D.J. Swearinger appeared on NFL Network on Monday and gave his thoughts on Cousins’ likely landing spot. “With the situation they have out there on defense, they’re missing their quarterback. I think Kirk will be getting a healthy payday and I think Denver is the team that can do that.”
- If the Vikings do not place the franchise tag on Keenum, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport fully expects the reigning NFC North champions to be in the mix for Cousins (Twitter link). Minnesota, fresh off posting a 13-3 mark in 2017, arguably offer the quarterback the greatest chance to win right off the bat with a strong defense and solid weapons at receiver, tight end and running back.
- Sticking with the Vikes, the Star Tribune’s Michael Rand writes that the Jets’ willingness to back up the Brinks truck for Cousins might force the team to look elsewhere. “If suddenly Cousins — hardly a sure thing as a franchise-altering QB in the first place — can command that kind of contract from a desperate team, the Vikings (if they are interested in the first place) might have no choice but to look in other directions.”
I call bs. They are trying to scare teams away. I hope the Vikings give him close to a reasonable offer and sell him on his only chance to win right now.
Denver can win right now, too, though. The defense is still really good, and the offense has only been terrible because of atrocious QB play.
He’s gonna end up getting paid more than he’s worth.
Bingo that… he doesn’t deserve top pay! Suckers!
There are maybe 12-15 people on the planet that can make teams watchable. He’s not one of the top-5, but he’s on that list. He’s worth his weight in gold to a team that doesn’t have a legitimate QB.
It’s all about money not winning look what Brock osweiller did to the broncos he went for the big paycheck he’s nothing but a backup q b the Texans found out the hard way cousins was another backup going for the big paycheck
With Bradford’s injury history, I’m not sure going to the Browns would be a smart move. It seems that the Browns get multiple QB’s hurt a season.
Sorry folks but Cousins not a franchise QB just my opinion. I do not want the Vikings to sign him only bridgewater one year cheap contract. Anyone can qb an great offense of the Vikings
I hope the Browns give a go after Kirk or any of the top free agent QBs. Then they can draft a stud RB and defensive player with their draft picks. They already have some great players. Look what Jimmy G did for San Francisco…
The Vikings and Jaguars are the only next year playoff teams that can out price the hard-pressed Broncos in getting Cousins if they want to.
Cousins wants to win over the next 5 years and would probably take a 5-10 million cut to play with the Broncos over the Browns or Jets. Count them out unless they put up stupid money.
If Jaguars, Vikings and Broncos all put up even money, my guess from pres is he’s going to Denver. But if the Vikings/Jaguars put up $5 more they could win because they’re mos def contenders. It’s an interestingly competitive situation considering he’s a “Very Good” QB, not Rodgers etc.