9 Possibilities for Kirk Cousins’ Next Team: The Full List
The Minnesota Vikings and Kirk Cousins should arrive at a verdict on his impending free agency in the next 1-2 weeks, a cliffhanger decision that has captivated Vikings fans for eight weeks.
9 Possibilities for Kirk Cousins’ Next Team: The Full List
The Vikings are the Vegas favorites to retain Cousins, although it is a bit odd that the two parties have waited this long to lock in an extension.
Consider these teams his top nine landing spots for 2024. They’re ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely landing spot). Some will see it as far-fetched, but the list is designed to be all-encompassing.
9. Miami Dolphins
The longest longshot on the list, Miami opts not to invest in Tua Tagovailoa for the future, trading him around or during the draft because Mike McDaniel believes Cousins is a better fit in his offense.
The Dolphins would have to go back on their word here — McDaniel loves Tagovailoa — so Cousins to Miami is unlikely. But it was included just in case.
8. Washington Commanders
Washington decides not to use the second overall pick on a quarterback, probably trading the draft capital for a king’s ransom. It then builds a roster around Cousins, and the nation’s capital feels like 2017 again.
In reality, the Commanders will likely look to the future, and signing Cousins would be a blast from the past.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay determines Cousins is a noticeable upgrade over Mayfield and spends an extra $10 million or so on Cousins. Mayfield returns to status as the best QB2 in football or signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers, for example.
6. Denver Broncos
Former Vikings executive turned Broncos GM George Paton asserts his presence and signs Cousins for a couple of seasons. Russell Wilson is released, and Denver has a quarterback guaranteed to throw 4,000+ passing yards and 30 touchdowns for the first time since Peyton Manning in 2014. Yes, 10 years ago.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
Going from Derek Carr to Jimmy Garoppolo to Cousins would be weird, but Cousins is an upgrade on both men. The Raiders have about $42 million to spend and use a huge chunk on Cousins.
Davante Adams spoke highly of the free-agent passer about a month ago.
4. New England Patriots
This is the point on the list where the teams really make sense. The Patriots have over $100 million in cap space on hand, a product of having no good quarterbacks or wide receivers. They must spend the money somewhere, so why not Cousins for $45 million?
New England could then trade down in the draft or stick-and-pick Marvin Harrison Jr. That plan doesn’t sound half-bad.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers went 10-7 in 2023 with Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, and Mitchell Trubisky. If that threesome could do that, Cousins could drag them to 12-5 or 13-4. He’d fit so well in Pittsburgh, but the Steelers might be content with Pickett, who enters Year No. 3 in 2024.
2. Atlanta Falcons
The rumor mill is blazing for Cousins to Atlanta. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported Saturday morning after her time at the NFL Combine, “Over the next month, I’m keeping an eye on the Falcons. They believe Cousins is the type of player who moves them from a fringe playoff team to a contender. New Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson both have familiarity with Cousins. Knowing this could be a seamless transition for Cousins and the talented young group of players across their roster, I expect the Falcons to compete for the rights to his contract. It makes all the sense in the world.”
Cousins’ wife, too, is from Atlanta. Brace yourself for this one because it might be coming.
1. Minnesota Vikings
This is oddsmakers’ favorite. When the dust all settles, it’s probably likeliest that the Vikings re-sign Cousins and draft a quarterback in Round 1 or 2 in April, totally hedging the bet inside their competitive rebuild.
Cousins may not fetch a humongous guaranteed contract on the open market, but he realizes that continuity with the Vikings is important to him. We still believe Cousins will ultimately depart, but for ranking top landing spots for 2024, the Vikings must stay on top until evidence proves otherwise.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band).
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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