Kirk Cousins’s Top NFL Free-Agency Landing Spots: 49ers, Steelers Have Plenty to Offer

Six years ago, the Vikings’ signal-caller changed the QB contract market forever, but he may have even more options this time around.

Author:
Gilberto Manzano
Publish date:
Feb 22, 2024

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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.

Cousins’s injury history could hinder his chances at another fully-guaranteed contract.
Abbie Parr/AP

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.

5. New York Giants

I’m not sure I see the Giants making a run at Cousins, but they should at least consider it because they likely won’t get a chance to select quarterback prospects Caleb Williams, Drake Maye or Jayden Daniels unless they trade up from their No. 6 slot. If the team scouts fall in love with J.J. McCarthy, Michael Penix Jr. or Box Nix, then sure, the Giants are better off staying out of the Cousins sweepstakes and taking a signal-caller in the first round. And, yes, the Giants have Daniel Jones, but he’s only had one productive season since entering the league as the No. 6 pick in 2019. Jones had six subpar performances before his ’23 season was cut short due to a torn ACL.

Pairing Cousins with coach Brian Daboll would be fun to watch. Daboll is regarded as one of the best play-callers in the NFL, but his offensive scheme struggled due to poor quarterback play last season between Jones, Tyrod Taylor and Tommy DeVito. New York has about $19 million in cap space to possibly make a run at Cousins.

4. Atlanta Falcons

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).

Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris during mini camp at Cal Lutheran University. — 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 pick.

3. San Francisco 49ers

Kyle Shanahan spent most of Super Bowl week saying Brock Purdy is his quarterback after the coach confirmed the team made an attempt to lure Tom Brady back to the field last offseason. Shanahan saw no harm in confirming the reports, because Brady was a backup plan in case Purdy wasn’t cleared for the start of the 2023 (after sustaining an arm injury in the previous NFC title game against the Philadelphia Eagles). Brady declined and Purdy delivered an MVP-worthy season to guide the 49ers to the Super Bowl. But San Francisco still lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, partly because the Chiefs had the quarterback advantage with Patrick Mahomes.

The 49ers will probably make a run at Cousins, who would be an upgrade over Purdy if he makes a full recovery from his torn Achilles tendon injury. It also wouldn’t hurt for the 49ers to sign Cousins and have him compete with the young star for the job, but it’s also tough seeing Cousins reuniting with Shanahan, who coached him in Washington, without promising the veteran would be the starter. There’s also the obstacle of creating enough cap space for Cousins, with the 49ers currently being $12.3 million over the salary cap. It wouldn’t be surprising if the 49ers chase Cousins, but they might be better off with Purdy, who now has plenty of postseason experience, and prioritizing the contract extension of wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

2. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders should make an aggressive run for Cousins because, unlike the Giants and Falcons, Las Vegas doesn’t have a top-10 draft pick. The Silver & Black should pay what it takes to lure Cousins and pair him with star wide receiver Davante Adams, who recently praised the Vikings’ signal-caller. The Raiders currently have $35.2 million in cap space to possibly make the highest bid for Cousins.

Las Vegas’s current starting quarterback is Aidan O’Connell, who had a decent rookie season, but he might be more of a high-end backup quarterback than a reliable starter for a full season. With Cousins, the Raiders could have a balanced attack. Coach Antonio Pierce proved last season he knows how to produce a productive ground game with Zamir White and Josh Jacobs, a pending free agent. The Raiders could also draft a quarterback with their No. 13 pick, but at that point, they might have the fourth or fifth option for signal-callers in the 2024 draft. With Cousins, the Raiders could make serious noise in the AFC West.

Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce — Pierce helped the Raiders win five of their last seven games of the season.
Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers need a proven quarterback, and they have plenty to offer Cousins with a talented group of skill players and a coach in Mike Tomlin, who has had a winning season for 17 consecutive years. Outside of the 49ers, the Steelers make the most sense roster wise, and they could make a serious financial offer. Pittsburgh’s cap space issues aren’t as dire as San Francisco’s, since the Steelers can cut a handful of veteran players who aren’t in their long-term plans. For example, the Steelers can cut wide receiver Allen Robinson to easily create $10 million in cap space. They’re currently $13.8 million over the salary cap.

Also, Cousins wouldn’t have to do the heavy lifting in Pittsburgh, which tends to have dominant defenses thanks to edge rusher T.J. Watt leading the charge. But it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cousins light up the scoreboard with a group that includes tight end Pat Freiermuth, wide receivers George Pickens and Diontae Johnson, and running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. The Steelers’ offense has been stagnant with quarterback Kenny Pickett the past two seasons. If Cousins decides to leave Minnesota, he has many good reasons for joining Pittsburgh.