Late Tuesday night, the NFL was bomb-shelled with the news that the Washington Redskins and Kansas City Chiefs have reached an agreement for a trade involving Chiefs QB Alex Smith. According to the Kansas City Star's Terez Paylor, the Chiefs will send Smith to Washington when the new league year begins on March 14, saving $17 million against the cap.
This means the Kirk Cousins era in Washington is over and he will be a hot commodity on the free agent market. Cousins has called Washington home for the past six seasons and played under the Redskins' franchise tag the last two years. Over the last three seasons Cousins has averaged 67% completion, 4,392 yards, 27 TDs, and 12 INTs. He has also been sneaky good with his legs, rushing for 13 touchdowns the last three years. Cousins will get a large contract, so which team who wants him will be able to afford him?
Here are the six teams that could sign Cousins and the complete odds according to BetDSI.eu.
Kirk Cousins team in Week 1 of 2018 regular season odds:
Cleveland Browns +175
New York Jets +230
Denver Broncos +300
Buffalo Bills +450
Miami Dolphins +750
Minnesota Vikings +800
Arizona Cardinals +1000
Jacksonville Jaguars +1500
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1500
6.) Jacksonville Jaguars
Vegas Odds: +1500
Many would argue the Jaguars are a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl caliber team. The Jaguars have the running game and one of the best defenses in the entire league, but are at times dragged down by poor quarterback play from Blake Bortles. Jacksonville has $20.1 million in cap space in 2018 and they will need to ask themselves is it worth signing 29-year-old Cousins to a monster deal over their current quarterback who is still only 25. The thing to monitor with Bortles' contract situation is if he is still injured by the first day of the new league year, his $19 million will count against the Jaguars' 2018 books no matter what. This would cripple their chances of signing Cousins.
5.) Buffalo Bills
Vegas Odds: +450
The Bills QB situation was a roller coaster ride, but only because head coach Sean McDermott decided to bench quarterback Tyrod Taylor for fifth-round rookie Nathan Peterman in Week 11. Peterman went on to throw for five interceptions in the first half against the Chargers and McDermott was forced to put Taylor back in the game. The Bills made the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and adding Cousins might be their next step to dethroning the New England Patriots in the AFC East.
According to Spotrac, Buffalo has $30.9 million in cap space in 2018.
4.) New York Jets
Vegas Odds: +230
The Jets are coming off back-to-back 5-11 seasons and the storyline around New York is who is playing quarterback. Jason La Canfora believes it might be hard for any team to "out-maneuver" the Jets for Cousins. The Jets have $77.6 million in cap space in 2018 which is the fourth most in the NFL, so they will have the money to land him. Canfora also reported that the Jets have shown the most intent to sign Cousins for the past weeks.
3.) Cleveland Browns
Vegas Odds: +175
The Browns have the second most cap space in the NFL with $102.5 million and this will be their trump card when trying to sign Cousins. Earlier this month, TheMMQB.com's Albert Breer said that Cousins would "seriously consider" playing for Cleveland. However, Cousins also said he wants to win games.
"Ultimately this decision going forward is about winning games,'' Cousins said during The Jim Rome Show on Tuesday a few hours before the Smith trade.
The Browns went 0-16 in 2017 and are 1-31 the last two seasons, which isn't what most would consider a winning team. For the right price - possibly highest paid player in the NFL - the Browns might persuade Cousins to take his talents to Cleveland.
2.) Arizona Cardinals
Vegas Odds:+1000
The Cardinals will be looking for a new quarterback after Carson Palmer decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NFL, his last five with the Cardinals. Arizona has a new head coach with Steve Wilks and may look to add a new franchise quarterback with Cousins. During his introductory press conference, Wilks was vocal about signing a quarterback.
“We’re going to have a very active and aggressive plan through free agency, and we’ll see exactly what’s going to happen within the draft,” said Wilks.
Cousins will want to go to a winning team unless he can land a huge deal. The Cardinals current cap space at $27.3 million according to Spotrac, they may not be able to throw money at Cousins like a lot of other teams, but Arizona will try.
1.) Denver Broncos
Vegas Odds: +300
The Broncos have the defense and if they believe they are a quarterback away from winning a Super Bowl, and in the past we have seen general manager John Elway pull the trigger on a quarterback. Denver did it in 2013 when they signed Peyton Manning and will be in play this offseason for Cousins. The Broncos have $24.7 million in cap space in 2018 which may not be enough to land Cousins and according to Sporting News writer Eric Galko, Cousins likely won't end up in Denver. That was reported before the Smith trade, which may change things now.
In regard to my top six, "you like that"? Give me your thoughts on which team Cousins signs with this offseason.
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