Kirk Cousins‘ agent had his staff do research on seven teams leading up to his client’s historic opportunity, and the quarterback had narrowed his list down to four finalists entering the week.
The Vikings, Jets, Broncos and Cardinals were the official final four, Jenny Vrentas of TheMMQB.com reports. But by Monday, the Broncos pivoted to Case Keenum, and Vrentas adds the Cardinals were out by Monday night. However, the Jets — as the New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta reported — were in the mix until Tuesday.
Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports the Jets finished second in this race and indeed also offered Cousins a fully guaranteed deal — three years and $90MM — and were ready to go punch for punch with the Vikings if they had to. Gang Green even sweetened its initial offer for the 29-year-old passer, but he ended up choosing a Minnesota path instead.
“The Jets were terrific,” Mike McCartney, Cousins’ agent, told Cimini. “I have a lot of respect for Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles and their staffs. Jeremy Bates was very attractive to me, personally, for Kirk to fit into his offense. At the end of the day, it was close.
“I think Kirk decided to visit Minnesota first. Some of it is gut feel, some of it probably the fact that they were in the NFC championship game. But it was not an easy decision.”
Each of the four finalists had a chance to present cases to McCartney, Cimini reports, but Cousins’ camp — per Vrentas — called the Jets on Tuesday morning and informed them the seventh-year quarterback was planning to visit the Vikings first. That apparently was enough to convince the AFC East franchise it wasn’t going to win this race.
The Jets then moved on to their Josh McCown/Teddy Bridgewater backup plan, and Maccagnan has now made a trade to vault from No. 6 to No. 3. The Jets leapfrog the Broncos, who may now be less inclined to take a quarterback at No. 5, and are in position to outflank the Bills. Buffalo is targeting a top-five pick for a quarterback.
Buttfumble
The Jets suck it was an easy decision
I think Cousins made the right decision especially considering I don’t know if anyone can even name a WR or TE on the jets……
Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse
Robby Anderson .. had a great year as a WR for the Jets
Robbie Anderson got in some legal trouble in the offseason and might not even play this year or might get cut. And Kearse is garbage. I’d prefer Adam Theilen Steffon Diggs and Kyle Rudolph
With the reciprocal tax agreement between MN and Michigan he’ll probably make just as much, if not more, after taxes playing for the Vikings than he would have going to N.Y.
The Jets are not as set as the Vikings are. He went to a team that has the better chance to win and didnt take the most money. Obviously to him winning is more important
Do we really need another post about Cousins leaving money on the table to sign with a contender instead of a perennial dumpster fire?
I want to hear more about his taxes
Directionless jets or Super Bowl favorite Vikings?!? This was a no brained. Plus he could head the players association and make up all that money seeing as he nabbed a fully guaranteed contract. His endorsements will be insane too.
No one is going to trade a ring and history for a few million dollars.
If he really wanted a ring and didn’t care about the money, he would have signed with the team that destroyed the Vikings in the playoffs and, you know, actually WON THE RING. Even though the Eagles have Wentz and Foles, they wouldn’t have turned him away as a backup if he wasn’t looking for a huge contract.
He could have also signed with the other team that played in the super bowl last year as a backup to Brady if it truly were all about winning for him.
The Vikings had a good season for a change last year, but hearing people talk like they’re the favorites to win it all this coming season is comical.
This is one of the dumbest comments ever. He could’ve signed with the Eagles or Patriots? Please don’t reproduce.
You know what’s comical… your comment
Classic Comment!! You must be a Browns season ticket holder
Jets sure sounded desperate to be making all those offers
The Jets has and will always be desperate