Denver Broncos: Is Kirk Cousins an option in 2022?

Denver Broncos offseason, QB Kirk Cousins. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos offseason, QB Kirk Cousins. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Broncos could look for a new quarterback in 2022. Is Kirk Cousins an option?

There are still plenty of games for the Denver Broncos to turn things around in 2021, but as things stand now, it appears the team is likely to look for its next long-term hopeful at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers? Maybe. Deshaun Watson? Doubt it, personally. Nick Mullens? The team could do way better.

Enter current Minnesota Vikings starter Kirk Cousins.

A couple of days ago, Viking Age listed a few teams that could be suitors for Cousins. The Denver Broncos were the first team the website mentioned.

Would he be a good option?

Cousins would count $45 million against the Denver Broncos’ salary cap in 2022. That is, if they don’t restructure his contract as part of a trade agreement with the Vikings. It seems awfully high.

If the Broncos are interested in Cousins, I can’t imagine him going to the team with that cap hit.

Cousins has a record of 54-54-2. He has just one double-digit win season, which came in 2019, his second season with the Vikings.

In Minnesota, Cousins has had some pretty spectacular weapons, including running back Dalvin Cook, and wide receivers Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs. In Denver, he’d get Melvin Gordon (if re-signed) at running back, Noah Fant at tight end, and a pretty solid wide receiver core in Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, Jerry Jeudy, and K.J. Hamler.

On the defensive side of the ball for the Denver Broncos, they pretty much have the talent across the board. They’ll need to figure out who will play some of the starting spots, including Kyle Fuller’s spot at cornerback and linebacker if Alexander Johnson or Josey Jewell get moved.

On a player personnel level, I feel like the Denver Broncos would be very appealing for Cousins.

On a coaching level, not so sure… as things stand right now.

It should be very important to Cousins who the team’s coaches are going forward. It’s not a guarantee at this point but next year’s coaching staff could look a whole lot different than it does now. With the way things are looking right now for the Denver Broncos, it’s hard to imagine Cousins being interested in the team.

Lastly, what would the Denver Broncos give up for a trade for Cousins? A player who could be on the move (potentially before a Cousins trade, though), could be cornerback Kyle Fuller, who has struggled in Denver. The Vikings signed cornerback Patrick Peterson in the offseason, but his contract expires after this season. Fuller is a couple of years younger than Peterson and may benefit from a change of scenery.

Cousins has been a solid quarterback, so it would not be a surprise if the Vikings wanted a high draft pick for him.

The Denver Broncos and Minnesota Vikings have recently made trades with each other, with general manager George Paton a former Vikings employee. The connection is there.

What do you think, Broncos Country? Would you like to see Kirk Cousins in orange and blue?

Ggggggggg