The NFC North is going to undergo quite a bit of change in the coming months. While Jared Goff and Jordan Love are firmly entrenched with their respective franchises, Caleb Williams could replace Justin Fields in Chicago and Kirk Cousins could leave if he doesn’t get a massive contract. While Fields has no control over his fate, Cousins controls his destiny. The quarterback is set to hit unrestricted free agency in just a few months, and the Vikings cannot use the franchise tag to retain his services.
Good quarterbacks are hard to come by, and Kirk Cousins was in the midst of a fantastic contract year. The longtime starter was having the best season of his career before an Achilles injury prematurely ended his season. Cousins is a top-10 quarterback and, assuming he’s healthy, will receive a massive payday at some point in the next few months. A bidding war is inevitable, and Minnesota will try to bring him back. According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, Cousins is currently asking for a two-year, $90 million guaranteed deal.
Report: Kirk Cousins Contract Demands Leaked
Whichever team signs Kirk Cousins to his next contract is going to be inheriting a lot of risk. Coming back from a torn Achilles is one of the most difficult recoveries in sports, and it’s not made any easier by Cousins’ advanced age. The silver lining is that Achilles injuries take away one’s burst and acceleration, and that was never the name of Cousins’ game. The former fourth-round pick has always been a pocket passer, so it’s not that big of a deal if he can’t quickly reach his top speed when scrambling.
Cousins’ two-year, $90 million contract would make him the eighth-highest-paid quarterback in the league on a per-year basis, according to OverTheCap. Assuming he can return to form, this is a fair price for one of the better passers in the league. Minnesota will probably try and bring him aboard, but if they can’t, these three teams should be more than willing to give Kirk Cousins that type of contract.
Best Free Agent Destinations
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike Tomlin says Kenny Pickett will enter the offseason as his QB1, but actions speak louder than words. If Kenny Pickett had any type of job security, then he wouldn’t have been backing up Mason Rudolph in a playoff game. This team has a great defense, some solid weapons, and good coaching – all they need is a quarterback. The biggest hurdle here is the money, as the Steelers are currently $14.3 million over the 2024 salary cap. However, if they can find a way to give Kirk Cousins the contract he deserves, this team could compete in 2024.
Atlanta Falcons
The Arthur Smith Era is finally over, which means Desmond Ridder’s days as a starting quarterback are numbered. Morris is going to want to bring in a new quarterback, but he probably won’t be able to draft one of the elite prospects. With that in mind, signing Kirk Cousins to a short-term contract makes all the sense in the world. This team has all the pieces they need to compete in the short-term, and they could use a mid-round pick to try and develop a talented but unpolished prospect who can start when Cousins hangs it up.
Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson is technically still under contract, but it’s only a matter of time before Sean Payton parts ways with the quarterback. Kirk Cousins might not be Drew Brees, but his ability to read a defense and quickly get rid of the ball is a perfect fit for Payton’s preferred style of offense. Just like with the Steelers, the Broncos are going to have to get creative to fit a Kirk Cousins contract under the salary cap. However, if they can make the money work, this roster has enough talent to compete in a crowded AFC West.
Main Photo: Brad Rempel – USA Today Sports
