NFL Free Agency Primer: 7 Stories To Follow
By Zack Trapp
The first and only poll point of the NFL off-season(until the draft) is arriving in just over a week. NFL Free Agency kicks off at 4 PM on Thursday, March 9.
Aside from the obvious intrigue of seeing new faces in new places, free agency also tacitly tells us about what teams think of themselves, what they plan to become, and what they plan to do in the draft.
With most of the franchise tags being handed out Monday without incidence, we more or less know what this free agency class looks like. Without further adue, here are the key storeylines of the new league year before they are blown to smithereens of nonsense at the combine.
1.) The Unprecedented Kirk Cousins
The whispers that the Redskins signal caller could hit the open market could have some legitimacy. On his podcast, former scout Daniel Jeremiah reported that around the league the prevailing thought is that Cousins will not return to Washington next year.
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He put the chances that the quarterback returns at less than 50 percent. Cousin’s camp has reportedly grown frustrated with talks towards a long-term deal. The Redskins could franchise tag him for a second time at $23.95 million.
If he does hit the open market, the situation is unprecedented. While Cousin’s isn’t a top shelf player, quality starting quarterbacks simply don’t hit free agency. If he does, expect him to approach, if not eclipse, the highest paid players in the league. The 49ers and Browns make the most sense here.