Comparing the Kirk Cousins trade market to other 2022 QBs
By Luke Parrish
Does Russell Wilson still have an edge over Kirk Cousins?
Looking at their numbers over the past two or three seasons, Kirk Cousins and Russell Wilson are nearly identical. Wilson has the career accolades that Kirk lacks but the two have been on the same level of late, which creates a bit of a comparable scenario in the event of a trade.
Wilson, like Rodgers, has the ball in his court as far as his future is concerned. If he wants out of Seattle, all signs point to him being traded to a team that he approves, so Seattle can hang that value and get more out of a deal than they might elsewhere.
The common thought has been a trade with the Washington Commanders that involves the 11th overall pick in 2022 and a future first-round pick on top of the deal. However, Wilson could net a larger return than Cousins given his contract.
Wilson is signed through the 2023 season whereas Cousins is only under contract through the upcoming 2022 season. Teams that are interested in Cousins have to factor in a potential extension or a one-year, go-for-it-all type of deal in which sending multiple first-round picks would not be as valuable.
There is also the running and escapability of Wilson that gives him some more upside in a trade. He does not need the perfect offensive line or run game behind him to be a star which Cousins has needed in Minnesota.
As far as veteran quarterbacks go, Wilson is probably the best comparison for Kirk Cousins during the 2022 offseason. Both present roughly the same value in a trade with Wilson likely drawing a bit more interest but having the final say in where he winds up.