NFL free agency is always pretty wild, but this year’s will be especially so with quarterback Kirk Cousins expected to hit the open market. After back-to-back seasons using the franchise tag, Washington traded for Alex Smith this week, and promptly signed him to an extension. That opens the door for Cousins to hit the market with a chance to set contract records.
Naturally, there are odds available on where Cousins will land. However, the odds are not all that consistent. Bovada and Bet DSI each posted odds as soon as the Alex Smith trade happened. Bovada installed the Broncos as favorites at +150, but that has quickly been updated to -150. +150 means you have to bet $100 to win $150, while -150 is the reverse, where you have to bet $150 to win $100. Meanwhile, Bet DSI installed the Browns as a favorite at +175, and the Broncos at +300.
The Broncos have been mentioned regularly as a potential destination, and given their strong defense and the skill position players in place, it makes a lot of sense. They don’t have a crazy amount of cap space heading into 2018, but with a little over $26 million, they could make a deal happen if both sides wanted it.
The Browns on the other hand? Unless they are offering him quite literally double what anybody else is offering, I just can’t see that happening. Cousins said this week that he is willing to sacrifice a little for winning. I wouldn’t expect anything different from him, but I just don’t see John Dorsey and Hue Jackson being able to push hard enough to land him.
The New York Jets are a regular mention, but the Arizona Cardinals could be an interesting team to track. Carson Palmer’s retirement leaves them with nobody of note at quarterback. They don’t have a ton of cap space, but they could make a deal work if the two sides wanted to make something happen. And it certainly would be interesting seeing Cousins facing off against Kyle Shanahan twice a year.
Where do you think Cousins ends up this fall? If you can’t see the poll below, click here.
Poll
What team will Kirk Cousins be on Week 1 of the 2018 season?
This poll is closed
-
50%
Broncos
(1239 votes) -
5%
Browns
(134 votes) -
12%
Jets
(311 votes) -
9%
Cardinals
(224 votes) -
2%
Bills
(63 votes) -
1%
Giants
(42 votes) -
1%
Dolphins
(43 votes) -
7%
Jaguars
(194 votes) -
7%
Other (specify in comments)
(195 votes)