Ranking the top 6 destinations for Kirk Cousins in 2024
By Ben Donahue
We've ranked the top six landing spots for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins in 2024, ranked in order of Cousins signing with the franchise.
Kirk Cousins was in the middle of a very good 2023 campaign before his season ended with an Achilles injury in Week 8. Now, he's scheduled to be a free agent in March, and the Minnesota Vikings are trying to decide if he will ever suit up for the team again.
If Minnesota decides not to re-sign him, there will be no shortage of suitors. Several NFL teams are in desperate need of a bona fide franchise quarterback.
Cousins, however, will turn 36 in August, and the clock is ticking on his career. Even if a team is willing to pony up and sign him to a huge deal, he'll strongly consider whether the organization will be a good fit.
Among the considerations will be the strength of the team’s offensive line, offensive firepower, coaching, and direction the franchise is trending.
If a particular organization is in the middle of a rebuild or has a recent history of losing, chances are good that Cousins will pass.
Recently, DraftKings Network put together a list of potential Cousins destinations for 2024.
After examining the DraftKings betting lines for who will land the quarterback, the following is a ranking of the top six most likely destinations according to the Network.
Kirk Cousins Destination No. 6
Washington Commanders (+1600 Odds)
The idea is intriguing, to say the least. Cousins was a fourth-round draft pick by Washington in 2012 and spent his first six years as a pro with the Commanders.
The first few years of his career were spent sharing time with fellow quarterback Robert Griffin III before taking over the starting job in 2015. Cousins then signed with Minnesota before the 2018 season.
Washington ended 2023 with a 4-13 record. After the season, head coach Ron Rivera was fired, and former Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn took his place. Then, former USC offensive assistant Kliff Kingsbury was hired as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator in early February.
The rumor mill says that Kingsbury was hired because of his close relationship with former USC quarterback (and presumptive first-overall pick in the 2024 draft) Caleb Williams.
The Commanders currently own the second overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and the Chicago Bears have the top spot. Although the Bears have Justin Fields listed as their starting quarterback, the thinking is they will move him and select Williams.
Should that happen, Washington could grab former UNC quarterback Drake Maye or even Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels from LSU. Or, because of the Kingsbury hire, perhaps Washington and Chicago will swap positions so the Commanders can reunite coach and quarterback.
Currently, the Commanders have a competitive offense with receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, tight end Logan Thomas, and running back Brian Robinson.
Their offensive line isn’t great, and Pro Football Network gave the group a 25th overall ranking in their postseason report in January.
Washington is also in the middle of a rebuild, with longtime former owner Daniel Snyder out the door and replaced by a group led by Josh Harris.
There is cap space and room to grow, and every indication is that the new ownership group will spend money to make the team competitive.
Ultimately, the idea that Cousins will return to the D.C. area for an organization with a weak offensive line and a rebuild on the table doesn’t look promising.
Also, Washington may like the idea of signing Cousins to tutor their new prize draft pick. That would also mean that Cousins’ future with the Commanders means a spot on the bench after the new quarterback is developed. That’s especially true if the team moves to No. 1 and selects Williams.
It’s pretty safe to say this destination is a no-go for Cousins.