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Since we last spoke, there has been myriad speculation about Kirk Cousins future.
This report sums up many of the reports best.
“According to multiple reports on Monday, the free-agent quarterback is believed to have narrowed his preferred destinations to Minnesota and the New York Jets. Cousins would likely be able to get more money from the Jets, but the Vikings are a much better option for him if he’s looking to immediately compete for a Super Bowl.” – Adam Patrick, Fansided.
This certainly makes sense since these are the two of the four finalists for Cousins that have the most cap space. ESPN’s Adam Schefter announced the four finalist a few days ago – the Jets, Vikings, Cardinals and Broncos.
Yes, Cousins could get more money from the Jets, but the Vikings look like a team that is closer to the Super Bowl with a better defense.
Also, of the four finalists, the Vikings coaching situation is probably the one that would make a free agent the most comfortable.
Think about it – the Cardinals have a rookie head coach, the Broncos have a second-year coach who was very close to being fired after last season – very close, the Jets have a coach coming off a pair of 5-11 seasons, and then you have Mike Zimmer, coming off an NFC Championship appearance.
Which is the most appealing situation on paper? Clearly the Vikings.
Not only do they have the best overall roster, and most established coach of the bunch, they have a GM and coach who seem to be on the same page – Rick Spielman, who has built a loaded roster in Minnesota and Zimmer.
Like I’ve mentioned before, I heard from two sources at the Senior Bowl, that the relationship between Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles isn’t great. Something happened. Still trying to get to the bottom of it. Perhaps it was over playing Christian Hackenberg.
In Denver, Elway almost fired Joseph, but than had a change of heart, so that relationship is from ideal.
In Arizona, it’s a shotgun wedding new coach and a GM who was in place. It remains to be seen how that relationship worked out.
Honestly, Bowles-Maccagnan was also a shot-gun wedding. They were put together by two consultants – they really had no background together.
So in so many ways, Cousins to Minnesota certainly makes the most sense.
“Multiple #Broncos sources feel Kirk Cousins is likely headed to Minnesota,” tweeted Denver radio host Ben Albright.
SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano had a report over the weekend that got a lot of attention.
“Despite their willingness to throw a truckload of money and a heavily front-loaded contract at Cousins in an attempt to lure the free agent franchise quarterback to New York, the Jets are worried he might already be destined to sign with the Vikings instead,” wrote Vacchiano. “According to a team source, they are aware of the league-wide speculation that Cousins is ticketed for Minnesota and they are taking that threat seriously after some informal, preliminary talks with his camp this week.”
That report makes the Jets look weak. “Worried” – what kind of nonsense is that? Leaders shouldn’t be “worried.”
Make him a good offer, and if Cousins decides to go elsewhere, re-sign Josh McCown for a year and draft a QB at six, and spend all the extra cash you have filling the myriad holes.
“Worried” shouldn’t be in the equation.
And honestly, if you were Cousins, objectively speaking, doesn’t Minnesota make the most sense?
March 5, 2018
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