Fans should be watching Kirk Cousins closely in 2017

Quarterback Kirk Cousins will more than likely be a free agent in 2018 as to which fans of the New York Jets should be closely monitoring his situation with the Washington Redskins.

The NFL deadline for extensions on franchise tags has passed as quarterback Kirk Cousins did not sign a long-term deal with the Washington Redskins. Cousins will become the first quarterback in NFL history to play with a franchise tag in back to back seasons. What does this mean for fans of the New York Jets?

This most likely means that Kirk Cousins will become an NFL free agent come 2018, allowing himself to get the most guaranteed money as possible. There have been strong rumors for years linking former Redskins offensive coordinator and current San Fransisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan to Cousins. This also means that teams like the Jets, among many others, will be vying to steal, and sign, Cousins away from the Redskins.

Cousins has had quite an interesting career since being drafted in the 4th round of the 2012 NFL Draft after the Redskins had already drafted Robert Griffin III. In five seasons as a Redskin, Cousins has started 41 games and played in 46. He has 12,113 yards thrown for 72 touchdowns but also has thrown 42 interceptions.

He played for the Redskins in their 2012 and 2015 NFL Playoff games and was a first-time Pro B*owl quarterback last year in 2016. Cousins, although losing several weapons on offense, is expected to have another fantastic season after throwing for almost 5,000 yards last year.

Why the Jets Should Sign Cousins

More from Jets News

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

Here’s where the Jets come into play. According to Spotrac.com, the Jets are projected to have the second most cap space going into the 2018 off-season. The Lions will have the most, but will most likely re-sign quarterback Matthew Stafford to a huge deal.

The reason this article is about Cousins and not Stafford is that the Lions and many insiders around the league truly believe that Stafford will re-sign with Detroit. Cousins, on the other hand, is no gimme and many people do think there’s a legitimate chance that he signs with another team.

The NFL hasn’t seen a top tier quarterback enter the free agent market since probably Brett Favre, two times, and or Michael Vick, yet a lot of teams were not willing to sign Vick straight out of prison.

The Redskins have a tough schedule, that ends with a very difficult last five weeks, so if the team collapses I truly do foresee Cousins in a different uniform in 2018. Whether that be the 49ers or the Jets, I hope the Jets make a run to sign him.

The Jets, as of right now, point everything towards “tanking” this season, and if they do wind up a top three draft pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, they could try to sign Cousins, or maybe even Stafford, and draft another position player instead of drafting a quarterback. It’s a long time away, but Jet fans should be watching Redskins games this season, particularly Cousins, as he could be the future quarterback of the Jets.