One of the players who people will be keeping a close eye on this offseason is veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. He is set to hit free agency after playing the last six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
Kirk Cousins has proven over that time that he can be one of the most productive players in the NFL at his position. The Vikings routinely had one of the better offenses in the league with him leading the way, but there are some concerns about him heading into free agency.
He will be 36 when the 2024 season kicks off, which is concerning in itself. But, when you add on top of that the Achilles injury he is coming back from, it complicates things even more. Will teams be willing to over him more than a one or two-year contract?
NFL News & Rumors: Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updates
That could be what separates potential suitors. If someone is willing to give him an extra year or two on the contract, that could sway his decision. Where could Kirk Cousins end up this offseason?
A former NFL executive who spoke to NFL Analysis Network offered up a dark horse candidate that could emerge. They believe Kirk Cousins is going to have a robust market and a surprise team could be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I think Kirk Cousins is going to have a much larger market than many expect. I’m going to throw out a sleeper team to watch. Don’t be shocked if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take a long look at him,” said the former NFL executive.
The Buccaneers are coming off their third straight NFC South divisional crown, this time with Baker Mayfield leading the way. He played extremely well this season, joining Tom Brady as the only other quarterback to reach the statistical plateaus he did.
NFL News & Rumors: Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins, 2024 NFL Free Agency, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Updates
On top of that, the Buccaneers also defeated the Philadelphia Eagles during Super Wild Card Weekend before falling to the Detroit Lions in the Divisional Round. It could certainly be argued that Kirk Cousins currently wouldn’t be an upgrade over Mayfield.
But, with Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator Dave Canales moving on to take the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers, does Mayfield’s perception within the organization change? If Tampa Bay believes his success was tied to Canales and he won’t be able to replicate that again, Kirk Cousins becomes an intriguing option.
But, if the Buccaneers believe the 2023 season wasn’t an aberration for Mayfield and he truly turned a corner, Kirk Cousins won’t work into their plans. Mayfield is seven years younger than Kirk Cousins, giving Tampa Bay a long-term option instead of a short-term stopgap.
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