Niner Noise
FanSided

2018 NFL offseason quarterback carousel: Predicting who goes where

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with his daughter Lily after defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - FEBRUARY 04: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with his daughter Lily after defeating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 10
Next
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins listens to the National Anthem before a game against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – DECEMBER 24: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins listens to the National Anthem before a game against the Denver Broncos at FedExField on December 24, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Kirk Cousins

2017 Team: Washington Redskins

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora recently reported the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes has boiled down to two leading contenders — the Vikings and Jets.

Both have their merits. One could argue the Vikings are a solid quarterback away from legitimately contending for a Super Bowl in 2018. Nothing against Case Keenum, but he’s a bit closer to a one-hit wonder than franchise-type quarterback at this stage of his career.

As noted on the previous slide, though, Minnesota would be making a massive shift from a defense-first group to an offense with Cousins at the helm. That’s what it would eventually take, financially.

Meanwhile, the Jets don’t have to worry about such issues.

Sure, New York isn’t anywhere close to the level of NFL competition the Vikings currently sit at. But the Jets are heading in the right direction. And they can make a huge offer without seriously hindering their roster plans for the immediate future.

Armed with nearly $90 million in cap space — second most in the NFL — the Jets can, essentially, hand Cousins a blank check. It wouldn’t hurt their roster construction much either.

There’s another factor in play here too. Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates is part of the Mike Shanahan coaching tree. Shanahan, of course, was the head coach in Washington when Cousins was drafted back in 2012. That’s an important connection to have.

Turning 30 years old this offseason, Cousins may not have immediate success in year one with the Jets. But that could come sooner than one might think.

2018 Team Prediction: Jets

Editor’s Update: Bovada (h/t Matt Miller of Bleacher Report) has released strong odds in favor of Cousins going to the Vikings.