For the second time in his career, Kirk Cousins will likely be available on the open market. But this time around, he may have a lot more suitors than in his 2018 free-agency tour. Cousins, who spent his first six seasons with the Washington Commanders, reportedly turned down a $90 million offer from the New York Jets to join the Minnesota Vikings on a three-year, fully guaranteed $84 million contract in 2018. Cousins then signed a few more short-term contracts with the Vikings to make himself one of the highest paid quarterbacks in NFL history. Related content The 35-year-old quarterback might not see a $90 million offer this time around, though, as he’s coming off a torn Achilles tendon injury. But it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see him sign a one-year contract of $40 million, maybe even two years for about $80 million. Quarterbacks make a lot more money now than they did six years ago, so perhaps we shouldn’t rule out another $90 million offer. But Cousins might also prioritize winning a Super Bowl and could look to take a discount to join a contender. The Vikings can’t use the franchise tag on Cousins, but they shouldn’t be ruled out either; coach Kevin O’Connell and the rest of the team saw Cousins’s importance after his season-ending injury in Week 8 last year. If Cousins decides to leave Minnesota, here are the five teams that would be the best fit for the four-time Pro Bowler
The Falcons definitely need to call Cousins’s representatives once free agency opens next month. They can’t continue wasting their talented offensive playmakers by pairing them with incompetent quarterback play. New coach Raheem Morris saw firsthand what a reliable veteran quarterback did for the Los Angeles Rams (they won a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford when Morris was the team’s defensive coordinator). With Morris leading the defense, Los Angeles made two playoff appearances in three seasons. Gary A. Vasquez / USA TODAY Sports Cousins would elevate an offense in Atlanta that features running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. If the Falcons land Cousins, they might be the favorites to win the NFC South thanks to their stout defense, which should also improve under Morris’s watch. The Falcons currently have about $25 million in cap space to enter the Cousins sweepstakes. If Atlanta whiffs on Cousins, they could still draft a quarterback with its No. 8
