Hardly ever do franchise quarterbacks hit the open market during the prime of their careers, but that’s exactly what we’re about to see with Kirk Cousins this offseason.
There will be no shortage of teams vying for his services as Cousins is expected to have his pick from several suitors.
Let’s take a look at likely destinations:
Denver Broncos
No team is primed for a bigger jump next season with the addition of a steady hand at quarterback than the Broncos. Already strong on the defensive side of the ball, the Broncos would again be in contention with Cousins, who would be a massive upgrade over Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler.
Von Miller thinks Kirk Cousins could take the Broncos to the next level. pic.twitter.com/mFNOPBQV64
— ESPN (@espn) January 31, 2018
Cleveland Browns
It would make more sense for the Browns to draft their quarterback of the future with the number one overall pick, but if they aren’t in love with any of the prospects, they have an abundance of salary cap space to splurge on Cousins and climb out of the league’s basement.
Buffalo Bills
Tyrod Taylor has been given a raw deal in Buffalo, but there’s no denying Cousins would be an upgrade over the dual-threat quarterback. It’s obvious the Bills want to move on from Taylor and Nathan Peterman doesn’t look like the answer, but there are few weapons in the passing game for Cousins to work with.
Arizona Cardinals
Carson Palmer’s retirement leaves a sizeable hole under centre and while Cousins would have been a perfect pairing with Bruce Arians, the former head coach is gone as well. Still, new coach Steve Wilks has vowed to be “very active and aggressive” in free agency to acquire their next quarterback.
New York Jets
Like Cleveland, the Jets could choose to get their quarterback through the draft as they own the sixth overall pick. They also have plenty of cap space to use however and Cousins would immediately solve a problem that has plagued the franchise for years and years.
Jacksonville Jaguars
This would have seemed more likely a few weeks ago, before Blake Bortles nearly toppled New England in the AFC Championship Game and then got wrist surgery, complicating his fifth-year option picked up by the Jaguars for $19 million next season. It looks like Bortles is their guy for right now.
Minnesota Vikings
Case Keenum helped the Vikings reach the NFC Championship Game, but it’s unclear how Minnesota feel about the journeyman quarterback. Though Keenum has proven he’s a starter in the league, an upgrade at quarterback with this current roster, could mean a deeper run and an improved shot at a title.
