NFL: The five best fits for Kirk Cousins in free agency
The Washington Redskins have reportedly traded for Alex Smith. With Kirk Cousins all but guaranteed to walk, which NFL team would be the best fit for him?
The Washington Redskins were expected to enter the 2017 NFL offseason with a decision to make about quarterback Kirk Cousins. Cousins was headed for a period of free agency that would test Washington’s willingness to spend big on their franchise quarterback.
Just over a month before the free agent festivities could begin, however, Washington made a swift decision that will all but guarantee Cousins’ departure.
News broke late on Tuesday, Jan. 30 that Washington had executed a trade that has since shook the NFL at its core. Rather than waiting until free agency to test Cousins’ market value, the front office opted to acquire a veteran and pay him a significant sum of money.
According to Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to trade veteran quarterback Alex Smith to the nation’s capital.
Sources tell The Star that the Chiefs have reached an agreement to trade Alex Smith to Washington. The story: https://t.co/vlNuGMAlVS
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) January 31, 2018
Shortly thereafter, Ian Rapaport of NFL.com reported that Washington will ink Smith to a four-year extension worth $94 million.
The #Redskins gave QB Alex Smith a 4-year extension worth $94M, source said. He gets a whopping $71M in guarantees.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 31, 2018
In other words: Cousins is out in Washington.
Cousins has become a big name by thriving as the most productive quarterback in the media frenzy that is the NFC East. It’s a fair reputation, as he and Philip Rivers are the only two players who have thrown for at least 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in each of the past three seasons.
Now looking at a lucrative payday in free agency, however, the question beckons: Which team would be the best fit for Kirk Cousins?