Surprise NFC North team suggested as possible Kirk Cousins destination in 2024

If Kirk Cousins were to part with the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, there might be a team in the NFC North that is willing to sign the veteran quarterback.

For the Minnesota Vikings, the 2024 offseason has just begun, but the debates about what the team should do with longtime quarterback Kirk Cousins are already in full force.

Cousins answered questions about his future on Monday as he was cleaning out his locker, and it's possible that we might have already seen the veteran signal-caller take his last snap in a Vikings uniform.

If Minnesota and Cousins are unable to agree to a new contract in the next few weeks, he will hit free agency in March with the ability to sign with any team that offers him a deal.

Detroit Lions suggested as a possible landing spot for Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins in 2024

If Cousins actually does hit free agency later this year, he will likely have interest from multiple teams around the league.

NBC Sports' Mike Florio recently shared that he believes one of these teams could be the Detroit Lions.

"I don't know how Lions fans about a [Jared Goff] for Cousins upgrade. I know how they should feel, because it would be an upgrade, and it would put you in better position to potentially win a Super Bowl if you had Kirk Cousins there."

Cousins grew up in Michigan, so Florio believes the quarterback finishing up his career with his hometown team could be intriguing to the veteran passer.

That would certainly be an interesting move, but unlike some of the possible destinations that have recently been suggested, the Lions signing Cousins is something that is definitely possible.

Jared Goff's current contract with Detroit doesn't expire until 2025, but the team can cut him this offseason and clear more than $26 million in cap space.

Add this $26 million to the almost $60 million in cap space the Lions are projected to have during the 2024 offseason, and they would easily be able to afford to sign Cousins this year.

Would Cousins really be an upgrade over Goff, though?

Cousins played well before his injury this season, but will be 36 in August, and he's coming off of a torn Achilles.

Meanwhile, Goff is 29, he's already developed a familiarity on the field with some of his top pass-catchers like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, and he's coming off of a 2023 regular season in which he completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 4,575 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.

If the Lions are going to move on from Goff this year, it would likely only be done if they can find a replacement who is an upgrade over him.

While Florio believes Cousins could be that guy, Detroit would probably be better off sticking with Goff for at least one more season instead of replacing him with the current Vikings quarterback.