Broncos the top suitor for Kirk Cousins?
The Denver Broncos desperately need to add another quarterback. Two years ago, the Broncos traded up and selected Paxton Lynch, a big-armed signal caller out of the University of Memphis.
Instead of becoming the franchise, he’s ended up a bust to this point. In two seasons, Lynch has twice lost out on the starting job to Trevor Siemian, which wouldn’t be so bad if Siemian wasn’t so bad. The Northwestern product threw for 2,285 yards with 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions this year, while Lynch, in his two starts, tossed three picks while losing another fumble.
With that situation as the backdrop for this offseason, general manager John Elway has to identify a quarterback who can turn Denver’s fortunes around.
Enter Kirk Cousins, who might be the most coveted free agent since Peyton Manning hit the market back in the summer of 2012. While Manning is an all-time great and Cousins has never seen the Pro Bowl, the contract for Cousins will likely be the largest in NFL history. The 29-year-old threw for 4,093 yards and 27 touchdowns despite an underwhelming and oft-injured supporting cast. When he hits the market in March, a bidding war will ensue like none other, probably driving his costs above $100 million guaranteed and more than $30 million in annual cap hits.
The Broncos can afford to be aggressive, with a projected $27 million in cap space this offseason. Additionally, the team can save another $11 million by parting ways with corner Aqib Talib. Talib can still play, but with expensive corners in Bradley Roby and Chris Harris Jr. on the roster, it might be time to move on.
To add fire to the notion the Broncos could target Cousins, Denver inside linebacker Brandon Marshall believes that Elway will go into the free agent pool, potentially eyeing the current Washington Redskins star, per NFL.com.
“In my opinion, we’ve already drafted a quarterback, first round a couple years ago. So we’ve tried that,” Marshall said. “I think he’s going to get a free-agent quarterback. I think he’s going to go spend some money and fix the position, you know, because it’s kind of a toss-up with these rookie quarterbacks. You never know. But the only thing about getting a free-agent quarterback is some guys will have to go. I hope everybody gets to stay, but that’s just the business.”
The biggest question is whether other teams will simply outbid Denver. The Cleveland Browns, New York Jets and Buffalo Bills all have more money to spend and a smiler hole at the quarterback position. If Cousins simply goes to the highest bidder, Denver will either have to be creative or go another direction.
Either way, Elway has his work cut out for him in the pursuit of finding a capable quarterback.
