The list of suitors trying to sign free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins apparently is down to four: the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Denver Broncos.
Bovada has the Vikings as the -205 favorite to land his services. The Jets are next at +300, followed by the Broncos at +350. The Cardinals are longshots at +1500.
The 29-year-old was with Washington for the last six seasons, but became expendable when they traded for Alex Smith in January. It was a deal that shocked the veteran.
“It was a surprise,” Cousins told USA Today two days before the Super Bowl. “Every player looks forward to free agency. It looks like I’m going to be a free agent on March 14. I haven’t picked where I wanted to play since I was a senior in high school.”
There was a remote possibility the Redskins were going to designate Cousins with the franchise tag and use him for a possible trade. They had until Tuesday to make that decision and ultimately ended up declining that option, thus making him a free man.
On Tuesday, Cousins took to Twitter to show his exhilaration.
“Next week is now officially the first time since 2007 that I’ll be choosing where to play football,” he tweeted. “I’m open to suggestions.”
Why Minnesota?
If Vikings fans have a vote, they would like to see Cousins in the Twin Cities next season. It would be ideal for both the quarterback and the team to have him under center in 2018. When talk about where Cousins would land started a month ago they weren’t even mentioned. But 30 days later they decided he was better than any of their three current players.
What makes this so appealing for Cousins is that they have the strongest squad of the four. If his objective is to win now than Minnesota is the place to go. The Vikings advanced to the conference championship before losing to eventual Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia.
The pieces are there and new quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo runs a West Coast offense that suits Cousins. The three current QBs – Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford – are all free agents and should leave if Cousins is signed, providing no controversy about who’ll be the starter.
Or Cardinals, Broncos, Jets
The team that most needs someone like Cousins is the Arizona Cardinals. With Carson Palmer retiring, they suddenly have a gaping hole at the position and getting someone to run the offense is a priority one.
Wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald reportedly met with Cousins to pitch him on the idea of playing for the Cardinals. One source told media outlets that his talk was very convincing.
The only problem in Phoenix is money. Cousins is supposedly looking for a three-year deal worth $90 million. It would take some financial gymnastics to free up the cash he wants and they ultimately would probably pass.
Rumor has it that he has counted out the Cardinals and the Broncos and only the Jets have a chance to out court the Vikings. But the Jets may be a few years from Cousins. He wants to win now and the Jets are one of the worst teams in the league.
