Jets could offer Kirk Cousins a fully guaranteed contract, per report

Kirk Cousins can make history in more ways than one this offseason with his next contract

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that quarterback Kirk Cousins could receive a fully guaranteed contract in free agency. With the addition of Alex Smith the Redskins have all but kicked Cousins to the curb after placing the franchise tag on him twice.

Cousins will ultimately benefit from the Redskins decision to not sign him to a longterm deal when he tests the free agent market this offseason. He’s expected to get the largest contract in NFL history, and the recent reports suggest he could cash in even more than expected.

Few quarterbacks hitting the free agent market will garner as much attention as Cousins. Rarely do starting quarterbacks hit the open market, and if they do a major issue typically follows them. Peyton Manning was coming off neck surgery, while Brock Oswelier and Tyrod Taylor were unproven backups.

A plethora of teams will be interested in Cousins when the new league year begins next month. The Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos are all legitimate contenders to add the 29-year-old quarterback.

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Cleveland has been desperate for a quarterback for years and certainly can afford to give Cousins the largest deal in NFL history. With over $110 million in salary cap available this season the Browns could offer a fully guaranteed deal for the first couple of years of a contract. However, would John Dorsey be willing to invest so much in a quarterback while holding the first and fourth overall pick in free agency?

New York will certainly be there in the Cousins sweepstakes with nearly $80 million entering free agency. Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty don’t appear to be the future despite being high draft picks, and the Jets are ready to stop playing the quarterback draft roulette.

Cousins’ deal will likely hit $140 million, $3 million more than Jimmy Garoppolo’s deal with San Francisco. Matt Stafford is getting the most guaranteed money among quarterbacks with $92 million, while Eli Manning is getting the most percentage of his contract for any quarterback not on a rookie deal with 79.76% of his $84 million deal guaranteed.

Next: Cleveland Browns Mock Draft

Cousins may not be worth the fully guaranteed deal, but he will at the very least get the largest deal in NFL history when it comes down to it.