Kirk Cousins

North Notes: Browns, Bengals, Barr, Bears

January 31st, 2018 at 4:48pm CST by Sam Robinson

The latest of many updates regarding the Browns‘ preference for their No. 1 pick runs indicates John Dorsey may have an issue with Baker Mayfield‘s height. While it’s uncertain if the Heisman Trophy winner’s 6-foot frame will be a deal-breaker, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports hears from a source close to the Browns the new Cleveland GM prefers size in quarterbacks (Twitter link). That and off-field baggage will work against Mayfield, who is slotted by most as a high first-round performer but someone who won’t likely be the Browns’ choice. Hue Jackson‘s on the same page about the size issue. Robinson previously reported Dorsey, though, is a fan of Mayfield’s competitive streak and was zeroing in on he or USC’s Sam Darnold. ESPN.com’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Josh Allen going to the Browns at No. 1, and Josh Rosen is generally regarded as the readiest pro prospect. So, the Browns — who wanted Alex Smith to mentor their to-be-determined prospect — will have a complex decision to make.

Here’s the latest from the North divisions.

Now that the Browns missed out on another trade target, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer mentions Kirk Cousins will warrant consideration. The Browns were planning on signing or trading for a bridge quarterback while their No. 1 pick learns but now could be in the Cousins mix. However, Cleveland’s status after two historically woeful years could derail this. Cousins has said he’s going to value a winning situation, and the Browns are about the furthest thing away from being classified as such. It would seem odd a team that’s at this stage of the rebuilding process would consider Cousins rather than a rookie, but the Browns ($100MM-plus in space) have the money to enter the fray. Cabot notes the Browns will likely know if they’ll have a shot at Cousins before the tampering period begins, and if he’s not interested, they will move on to bridge-type veterans, mentioning Chase Daniel or a Josh McCown reunion as options.
Like everyone else in the stellar 2014 first-round class, Anthony Barr is still attached to his rookie contract. However, the Vikings outside linebacker wants to sign an extension, and Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press notes the team is expected to try to sign Barr by the time training camp opens. “I love it here,” Barr said, via Tomasson. “Absolutely. I really love my teammates. I really love this team. I love the city. I could see myself being here for the future.” Jamie Collins‘ $12.5MM-per-year pact paces 4-3 outside ‘backers presently, but Barr could poised to (sorry) raise the bar here. No other player in this role makes more per year than Telvin Smith‘s $11.1MM pact, so it’s a near-certainty Barr’s re-up will come in above that. The Vikings extended Xavier Rhodes, Linval Joseph and Everson Griffen in 2017. A Barr agreement would be logical to follow this offseason.
Former Lions center Dominic Raiola played the Bears on numerous occasions. Chicago will now dip into the family for coaching help, hiring younger brother Donovan Raiola to be its assistant offensive line coach, per Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Donovan Raiola worked under new Bears O-line boss Harry Hiestand at Notre Dame.
Clint Boling took some snaps at left tackle last season, and Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer notes the Bengals could consider that for the future — even if he’s merely the backup tackle. Boling has been the Bengals’ left guard for six seasons. At right guard, Cincinnati liked what it saw from its young options will likely turn to either Alex Redmond, a 2016 UDFA, or Christian Westerman, a 2016 fifth-rounder, in 2018, per Dehner.

Broncos To Enter Kirk Cousins Sweepstakes?

January 31st, 2018 at 2:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kirk Cousins said on multiple occasions how critical a team’s competitive situation would be to his free agency decision, and given the talent remaining from the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 title, they fit this profile better than some of Cousins’ top expected suitors despite their 5-11 2017 performance.

The Broncos are ready to enter the market for a veteran or rookie quarterback, Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com notes, having made that decision after quarterback play did the most to sink their ’17 slate. But Robinson adds the Broncos’ veteran-heavy roster would gel with a pursuit of a veteran. Robinson tabs the Broncos as making more sense for Cousins than the Jets, Browns, Cardinals and even Jaguars, who are strongly considering retaining Blake Bortles.

And the most successful coach in Broncos history’s assessment of Cousins will impact John Elway‘s decision here. Robinson writes Mike Shanahan has made it known to Elway and Gary Kubiak he believes Cousins is a special player who’s been limited by some Redskins shortcomings, and the Broncos will lend weight to their former HC/de facto GM’s endorsement. Robinson adds that veteran backing for a free agent quarterback signing exists. Some, like linebacker Brandon Marshall, have offered effusive praise for Cousins while he was still under contract with Washington.

The current Broncos centerpiece gave a strong Cousins endorsement as well, doing so after praising him following Washington’s Week 16 win over Denver.

“He knows exactly how I feel about Kirk Cousins and what he’d mean to our team,” Von Miller said when asked about Cousins on The Dan Patrick Show (video link). “And what he would mean to a lot of other teams. He’s the hot quarterback on the market right now. … Yeah, we need Kirk. We need Kirk. I’d like to have Kirk. We have great quarterbacks now. Kirk could take us over the edge.”

While Cousins could command a deal possibly north of Matthew Stafford‘s NFL-record $27MM-AAV agreement, Robinson notes the possibility of a slight compromise for a winning team is in play. A “good team” would be able to get a deal done with Cousins for $24-$25MM per year with heavy guarantees, Robinson writes. Cousins said during an appearance on PFT Live he was “willing to make sacrifices” to be in the best position to win. Although considering a soon-to-be 34-year-old Alex Smith received a $23.5MM-per-year accord from the Redskins, the soon-to-be 30-year-old Cousins barely eclipsing that may be difficult to envision given his opportunity.

The Broncos have Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch under contract, but Robinson makes it clear they’re in the market for an upgrade. And the quarterback they prefer in the draft is not expected to be there at No. 5. Robinson reports Elway and Kubiak view Josh Rosen as having the most best most refined passing motion in the draft, adding it would be a lock the Broncos would take the UCLA product at 5 if he were still on the board. Rosen, though, is projected to go to the Browns at No. 1 or Giants at No. 2 on most mock drafts.

Should the Broncos not land Cousins, and the Vikings tag Case Keenum, Mike Klis of 9News reports notes they will pursue a stopgap quarterback and prepare to draft a rookie at No. 5. Dominoes still exist in a complex marketplace, but it’s fairly clear the Broncos will strongly consider Cousins before turning to the draft.

Kirk Cousins On Free Agency Approach

January 31st, 2018 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

The events of Tuesday night moved Kirk Cousins into relatively foreign territory — for himself and the NFL.

A franchise quarterback in his prime without injury issues is now pointed toward free agency. The 29-year-old passer will be pursued by several teams, including some who missed out on the Alex Smith sweepstakes. It could take a record contract to land the seventh-year signal-caller.

But after banking more than $44MM over the past two seasons through Redskins franchise tags, Cousins said a team’s competitive window will play heavily into his thought process.

“Winning is everything, especially at this stage of my career,” Cousins said, via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. “I’m going into Year 7. Because I’ve been franchise-tagged twice, it’s not about the money so much. It’s about winning. I want to win. This isn’t the NBA. You can’t just get one player and now you’re in the AFC championship game or NFC championship game. There are other pieces that come into play.”

Expanding on his desire to land in a winning situation after starting just one playoff game in his career, Cousins said a team’s coaching staff, GM and offensive system and personnel will be “huge” factors during his process.

“Who am I throwing to? Who’s protecting? What’s the depth chart look like?” Cousins said, via Cimini. “It’s so multifaceted. It’s going to be a really interesting process to gather those facts. I haven’t had the opportunity to gather that research. Until then, I’m going to keep an open mind and see what’s out there.”

While many free agents sign in the frenzied first several hours of the league year opening without taking visits, Cousins hinted he may go through a meet-and-greet process. Peyton Manning was thorough during his 2012 tour, traveling to several teams before deciding on the Broncos, who, interestingly, are almost certainly going to be part of the Cousins derby as well.

“Well, that will be uncharted territory for me,” Cousins said, via Charles Robinson of Yahoo.com, just before learning he will have a chance to test free agency. “I haven’t been there before. So I don’t know what that process looks like at all to this point. That would be my first time going through it.

“But I want to win. I’ll make sure that any fact-gathering that I do, or business that I take, or coaches that I meet – it’ll all be centered on do I feel like this is a place where I can win, or we can win? That’s what it’ll all boil down to.”

Redskins, Kirk Cousins Haven’t Talked

January 31st, 2018 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

Even before the Redskins traded for Alex Smith, Kirk Cousins probably sensed that he wouldn’t be back in Washington next year. Cousins and the Redskins haven’t had any contact since the regular season ended, a source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Of course, now that the Redskins have acquired Smith and extended him, they’ll be going their separate ways.

The Cousins saga will go down as one of the strangest storylines in Redskins franchise history. Cousins fully emerged from Robert Griffin III’s shadow in 2015 and led the team to the NFC East title. Unwilling to commit to Cousins in the long term, the Redskins used the non-exclusive franchise tag to retain him on a one-year, $20MM deal. In 2016, Cousins placed third in the NFL with 4,917 passing yards, but the Redskins were still unwilling to give him a fair market value contract and tagged him for a second consecutive year. This time around, the Redskins punted rather than offering Cousins a top-tier contract or tagging him for a third time at a cost of $34.47MM.

Finally, Cousins will reach the open market as an unfettered free agent. QB-needy teams flush with cash like the Browns, Jets, and Broncos will be eager to speak with Cousins in March and some club out there make Cousins an even richer man with a four or five-year deal. In time, the Redskins may come to regret their course of action with the 29-year-old.

Jets Gearing Up For Kirk Cousins Pursuit?

January 30th, 2018 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

A few cost-cutting moves could put the Jets at close to $100MM in cap space, and they are considering a run at a player who if available would represent the centerpiece of this year’s free agent market.

The Redskins still have to make a Kirk Cousins decision, but the Jets making a run at the coveted quarterback is “on the table,” multiple sources informed Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv.

While Vacchiano reports the Jets will be mindful of Cousins’ surely lofty price tag, assuming he’s available, the team is expected to be in the mix for the 29-year-old passer.

The Redskins are still considering a third franchise tag (which would come out to $34.47MM) for Cousins, and a tag-and-trade scenario is a theoretical option. Nevertheless, the Cousins drama figures to produce an explosive third act this offseason. And the Jets will have the funds to be a key player.

An expected cut of Muhammad Wilkerson will net the Jets $11MM in cap space, and moving on from players like Buster Skrine ($6MM in savings), Ben Ijalana ($5MM-plus) and Matt Forte ($3MM) could be in the cards as well. As it stands now, the Jets are projected to possess $72MM in cap room. Among teams that figure to be a part of a Cousins chase — like the Broncos, Bills or Cardinals — the Jets could outmuscle competitors if it becomes a bidding war, and Vacchiano writes the Jets should do that given their struggles at quarterback. The Browns hold more than $100MM in cap space and also profile as a suitor but aren’t an otherwise attractive destination.

The Jets have been linked to Josh Allen as well and hold the No. 6 pick but reside behind other quarterback-seeking teams. So, they will be a team to watch on both passer-procurement fronts this offseason.

Extra Points: Fitzgerald, Talib, Titans, Jets

January 29th, 2018 at 10:04pm CST by Micah Powell

Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has yet to make his intentions for the 2018 season public knowledge, but signs are point toward the future Hall of Famer returning for his 15th NFL campaign.

New offensive coordinator Mike McCoy said he has talked with Fitzgerald and that the receiver is “excited,” reports ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss. Fitzgerald reportedly told the new offensive coordinator is verbiage was similar to previous coaches Bruce Arians and Ken Whisenhunt.

Kurt Warner also said that he gets the sense that Fitzgerald is leaning toward returning, the Hall of Fame quarterback said on 98.7 Arizona Sports radio. “Last couple of times I’ve talked, I really feel like he wants to come back and play this season and he’s more committed to it. But that was before all the changes that took place.But I get the feeling that he is going to come back.”

Fitzgerald hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down in recent years. After moving to the slot in 2015, the perennial Pro Bowl selection has cleared 100 catches and 1,000 yards in each season and has cemented his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Though he is leaning toward returning, his status is sure to be decided by what the Cardinals do to fill the vacancy at quarterback left by the retirement of Carson Palmer. With plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, the team making a run at Redskins signal-caller Kirk Cousins for a quick fix would make plenty of sense.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

Speaking of Cousins, the soon-to-be free agent is expected to receive plenty of interest from the Jets. On Monday, former head coach Mike Shanahan praised Cousins as a special player, the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta writes. This portends to the Jets, as new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates was groomed under Shanahan in Denver. Shanahan said: “I think Kirk Cousins could be successful in any offense that he ran. Those quarterbacks are hard to find.”
The Broncos, according to reports, have recently placed cornerback Aqib Talib on the trade block. ABC 7 in Denver’s Troy Renck looked at a few possible destinations for the veteran cornerback, listing the 49ers, Rams and Cowboys. Talib is signed through the 2019 campaign.
Bills center Eric Wood put his retirement on hold and remains on the Bills roster due to the team’s salary cap restrictions, ESPN’s Mike Rodak reports (Twitter link). When he is eventually moved to the retired list, Wood will receive $4.8 MM in injury guaranteed salary for 2018, while keeping the $4.3M in signing bonus paid, tweets NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Titans have hired Raiders wide receivers coach Rob Moore for the same position, ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets. He also notes the team interviewed former Raiders running backs coach Bernie Parmalee last week.
The Panthers will hire Travelle Wharton as an assistant offensive line coach, ESPN’s David Newton hears. Wharton previously spent two stints with the Panthers as an offensive lineman.

NFC Notes: Cousins, Cowboys, Garoppolo, Cards

January 27th, 2018 at 9:35pm CST by Micah Powell

One of the top dominos to fall in free agency this offseason will be the future of Kirk Cousins. The Redskins have used both the transition tag and franchise tag on the signal-caller in the last two years, respectively, and their intentions this offseason remain unknown.

One option would be to again use a tag on Cousins and then trade him to another team, NBC Sports’ Rich Tandler writes. In theory, Tandler states, Cousins would agree to a deal with another team but would not sign an offer sheet. He would then be receive the transition tag from Washington, who would then trade him to the agreed upon team.

Tandler notes the pros to the deal would be an assurance to Cousins that Washington wouldn’t match an offer, the Redskins would receive compensation for his departure and the other team would get their franchise quarterback without signing him to a heavily front-loaded contract.

Of the teams who would potentially be interested in such a deal, the Browns, Broncos and Jets seem like the most obvious candidates to get something done.

It’s still early in the offseason, but the Cousins situation will be among the most interesting and pivotal of the offseason.

Here’s more from around the NFC:

Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Switzer underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle, the team reported. Primarily deployed as a kickoff and punt returner in his rookie season, the North Carolina product is expected to assume a heavier workload on offense in his second season.
The Cardinals are looking to hire Titans defensive line coach Nick Eason for the same position, AZ Central’s Kent Somers hears (Twitter link). The position was previously held by Brentson Buckner for the last five seasons. Eason played 10 seasons in the NFL and has been with the Titans since 2014.
49ers general manager John Lynch has stated often that he envisions Jimmy Garoppolo as the quarterback in San Francisco for the foreseeable future. Lynch confirmed this week that steps have been taken to ensure that happens, reports the San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch writes. The chances of Garoppolo playing somewhere other than the Bay Area in 2018 are slim to none. If a multi-year deal cannot be quickly reached, the team is sure to use the franchise tag on the signal-caller who has yet to lose as a starter in the NFL (7-0).

Franchise Tag Still In Play For Kirk Cousins?

January 25th, 2018 at 4:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

While Kirk Cousins would be the best quarterback to hit free agency in years, there’s still a possibility he doesn’t reach the market.

Some around the league believe the Redskins will apply the franchise tag to Cousins for the third straight year, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Although, doing so would mean a price tag that’s nearly one fifth of Washington’s projected 2018 cap.

A Cousins franchise tag would cost the Redskins $34.47MM — a 44 percent hike from his second tag of 2017. Were it to be the non-exclusive tag, teams could still negotiate with the 29-year-old passer but would have to surrender two first-round picks if the Redskins didn’t match the offer sheet.

The $28.72MM transition tag could be an option, Florio writes, although a report emerged in November indicating the Redskins weren’t considering it.

Cousins figures to be in demand if he hits the market, and him not doing so could cause quarterback-needy teams to adjust their strategies come March. But with Cousins and the Redskins having failed for two years to come to an agreement, the parties suddenly working out a long-term deal may be the less likely outcome. If they don’t, then the Redskins — who do have backup Colt McCoy under contract for $3.6MM in 2018 — would join other teams in need of a franchise quarterback.

Extra Points: Redskins, Cousins, Raiders

January 11th, 2018 at 1:26pm CST by Zachary Links

Redskins coach Jay Gruden wants to see Kirk Cousins get a long-term contract and not just another one-year patchwork solution.

“I think something has to be done,” Gruden told Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post. “I personally don’t want to go through another one-year deal, and just [keep going] one year, one year. I think you want to have a quarterback in here that’s going to be here. And hopefully that is Kirk, and if not, we have to move on and do what we have to do as an organization. For the most part, the great quarterbacks are in the same system year in and year out, and are developing in that system. [Teams are] not holding our breath every March and April, waiting for the guy. But if that’s the case, that’s the case. But we like Kirk and his development. He’s played well at times, without a doubt, proven that he’s a good starting NFL quarterback.”

Cousins did not quite match his 2016 numbers this past season and that could help the two sides reach a midway point in extension talks. Failing that, the Redskins can franchise tag him again for a whopping $34.5MM or use the $28.8MM transition tag, giving them the option to match any offer (though they would not receive any compensation if they do not match).

Here’s more from around the NFL:

It remains to be seen whether the Raiders will face punishment for skirting the Rooney Rule, but the league has spoken on at least one aspect of Jon Gruden‘s hiring. When asked whether the NFL permits a team to reach an agreement in principle with a new coach before firing its current coach, NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart told Mike Florio of PFT, “There is no league rule or policy on this.” During Gruden’s introductory presser, owner Mark Davis said that he had a handshake deal with Gruden before firing Jack Del Rio. The Fritz Pollard Alliance seems fairly convinced that this was a violation of the Rooney Rule since the team interviewed minority candidates after reaching a deal with Gruden. However, the league may conclude that the Raiders complied with the rule since they did technically interview Tee Martin and Bobby Johnson before putting pen to paper with Chucky.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield may go without an on-field agent, as Liz Mullen of Sports Business Daily writes. It would be a daring play for Mayfield, who is facing many questions about his ability to adapt to the NFL.
The Bears have tapped Chris Tabor to be their new special-teams coordinator, as Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes. This marks Tabor’s second stint with Chicago, with his first coming in 2008-2010. For the last seven seasons, he’s been in Cleveland, where he’s lasted through two different owners, five GMs, and four head coaches.

Kirk Cousins Wants to Wait Until March For Any Deal

January 5th, 2018 at 8:11pm CST by GregGoldstein

Kirk Cousins has already been franchised tagged the past two seasons and appears to want to wait out his next payday too. The 29-year-old quarterback is set to become a free agent in March and recently elaborated on his desire to wait until that time in order to max out his value, reports John Keim of ESPN.com.

“I see us taking our time,” Cousins said. “You can only just go year to year for so long, but that’s why it’s first things first. Let’s get away from the season a little bit and then let’s gather some information as to what the rest of the league is looking like, who’s being hired, who’s being fired. … It’s hard to make decisions now because there are so many dominoes to fall between now and then to influence it.”

Free agency is set to begin on March 14 with Washington having the chance to franchise tag him again for a stunning $34.5MM by the March 6 deadline. That scenario seems highly unlikely given how much that salary would hamstring the rest of the roster. However, the Redskins could decide to apply the $28.8MM transition tag in order to maintain some control over his future. While the team won’t receive any compensation should Cousins agree to another team on a transition tag, it does give Washington the chance to match any offer if he does sign with another team.

It certainly seems based on his comments that Cousins would like to test the free agent waters after being agreeing to play on the franchise tags for the past two years. However, that doesn’t mean he won’t consider re-signing with the Redskins if the price is right.

“It’s been a very positive six years,” he said. “Obviously we don’t have Super Bowl rings to show for it, we don’t have playoff wins. But it’s a privilege to play here. I’ve always felt that, and I’d be foolish to say I don’t want to be here.”

Cousins is not a spring chicken as he’ll turn 30 years old over the summer. He’s in his prime right now and clearly wants to get the most out of his upcoming long-term deal. If he wishes to do that, waiting until other teams have a chance to bid on him seems like the best way to do that.

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