For the second time in his NFL career, Kirk Cousins will be the top quarterback available in free agency.
Despite suffering a torn Achilles last fall, Cousins is expected to have several suitors this offseason. After all, he was playing at an MVP level prior to his injury. In just eight games, he had 2,331 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
With that said, let’s discuss which teams should pursue Cousins this March.
Atlanta Falcons
This seems like a no-brainer. The Falcons have an elite running back in Bijan Robinson, an emerging star at wide receiver in Drake London, and a proven playmaker at tight end in Kyle Pitts. All the offense is missing is a true general at quarterback.
Not only would Cousins give the Falcons a much-needed upgrade at quarterback, he’d put them in position to win the NFC South.
Las Vegas Raiders
Money won’t be an issue for the Raiders. They have the cap space to spend on a free agent like Kirk Cousins. The real question though is whether or not they’re willing to spend at quarterback when they’re already playing second fiddle to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.
One thing that isn’t up for debate is that Cousins would be a massive upgrade over Aidan O’Connell.
Minnesota Vikings
In six seasons, Cousins hasn’t been able to take the Vikings to the promised land. That being said, he gives Minnesota a steady option at the most important position in the sport. Is the front office really willing to let him walk this offseason?
If the Vikings aren’t willing to spend on a new contract for Cousins, they’ll have to completely start over. Let’s also not forget they have a star wideout in Justin Jefferson who is eligible for an extension. Does he want to play with an unknown at quarterback and potentially tank his value? Probably not.
New England Patriots
The Patriots could draft their quarterback of the future in April, there’s no question about it. But we can’t dismiss the rumors about them moving the No. 3 pick.
In theory, the Patriots could sign Cousins and then give him a potential-packed weapon in the draft. It might not be the flashiest option, but it would help Jerod Mayo field a competitive team this fall.
Pittsburgh Steelers
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there’s some “internal division” about the team’s starting quarterback job. Some people want Kenny Pickett to be the starter, others prefer Mason Rudolph.
The Steelers could avoid a controversy and upgrade their quarterback room in the process by simply signing Cousins. Besides, the rest of their roster is ready to win now. Why not add a signal-caller who has made the Pro Bowl four times?
From a salary cap standpoint, the Steelers would need to do a lot of maneuvering this offseason. They’re currently in the bottom half of the league in cap space. That shouldn’t stop them from being aggressive, especially when it comes to addressing the most important position in football.