The New York Jets are squarely in the mix for Kirk Cousins but it appears that another team is highly favored to land the quarterback prize of this year’s free agency class.
Reports on Tuesday that the Kansas City Chiefs had traded Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins signals that Cousins, the 29-year old quarterback of Washington, will hit the open market. The ripple effect of such a high-profile quarterback becoming a free agent will be huge and will impact the Jets, a team that presumably will be in the market for a free agent signal caller this offseason.
With over $80 million in salary cap space, the Jets are in a prime position to throw a lot of money at Cousins, with gaming site Bovada.LV naming them among the leaders to land the free agent. Among the leaders, but certainly not the leader:
Kirk Cousin’s next team?
Denver Broncos 3/2
New York Jets 2/1
Arizona Cardinals 4/1
Cleveland Browns 4/1
Buffalo Bills 9/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 14/1
New York Giants 14/1
Miami Dolphins 20/1
The idea that the Broncos are the clear-cut favorites in this race was picked-up by Colin Cowherd, the popular FoxSports1 analyst and radio host on FoxSports Radio. During his radio show, which was simulcast on FS1 on Wednesday, Cowherd reported using his sources that Cousins was close to a deal with the Broncos.
The deal certainly sounds like a home run for Denver, who found similar success in recent years with veteran quarterbacks including Peyton Manning.
Of course, no free agent deals can be signed until March but it is an interesting development.
In New York, however, Cousins might have his best overall fit. The Jets have the cap space to make him happy and still upgrade their team. In addition, they have a young and improving defense as well as the sixth overall pick, all components that could make them winners in the not-to-distant future.
Arizona is also an interesting name to watch in the race for Cousins as well.
