Word out of the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis has the Minnesota Vikings as front-runners for Kirk Cousins. Optimism is dwindling in Broncos Country…
has been the most talked about free agent at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, and for good reason.
It was reported by Adam Schefter that Cousins is expected to choose between one of four teams — the Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, New York Jets, and Arizona Cardinals. The Broncos and Vikings were anticipated to be the two most likely teams among those four, considering their ability to pay Cousins what he’s asking as well as give him a good chance of winning.
The Vikings appear to be — at this point in time — the front-runners for Cousins’ services. That should come as no surprise, as on paper, the Vikings provide Cousins with a pretty ideal situation. They have two Pro Bowl receivers (who are younger than the ones the Broncos have), they have a Pro Bowl tight end (which the Broncos do not), and they also have an apparent budding star at running back in Dalvin Cook (which the Broncos also do not have).
The Vikings have a lot going for them, to be certain, and they will be a tough team to beat in the Cousins race. If the Broncos are planning on entering that race, I still feel like they stand a good chance, but among a large section of Broncos Country, optimism is really dwindling.
There have even been some reports and speculation that Cousins has narrowed his list of teams down to two — the Vikings and Jets.
That would shock me, to be honest.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Cousins wanted to take visits in free agency. If that’s the case, the list wouldn’t be narrowed from four to two before he even has a chance to take a closer look at each franchise.
I would guess Cousins will spend a week taking visits to teams, and perhaps another day or two to decide, ultimately, where he will play.
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Therein lies the Broncos’ biggest advantage, and where they can sway the momentum back in their favor.
Meeting face-to-face in Denver will be a critical part of the free agent courting process for Cousins. He’s obviously going to get paid what he deserves, but more than that, I think Cousins covets a team and fit that is superior to what he had in Washington.
That’s why I personally haven’t viewed the Jets or Cardinals as a legitimate threat to this point, but money talks.
This week, I will outline why the Broncos are the best fit for Cousins, especially on the terms he desires. For now, the Vikings seem to be the team to beat.
This early in the process, one week before the legal tampering period and 10 days prior to Cousins being able to take any visits at all, I think it’s important that we understand how fluid this is, and how Cousins having his mind made up would not be in his best interests.
The Broncos might not be favored at this point, but don’t count them out just yet.