Why Kirk Cousins could be the NY Jets' starting QB in 2025

The Jets are overhauling their organization. With the addition of former Minnesota general manager Rick Spielman, the old guard seems to be on the way out in Florham Park.

Spielman brings a decade and a half of front office experience in Minnesota, having essentially run the Vikings' football operations the entire time. He boasts a notable draft history with names such as Adrian Peterson, Harrison Smith, Stefon Diggs, Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and more.

He also has a strong network of former players, some of whom could be candidates for the Jets. One connection, in particular, could help fill a major need the team may face.

Spielman was the architect behind bringing Kirk Cousins to Minnesota in 2018, signing him to a hefty three-year, $84 million deal. While they never led the Vikings to a championship, their three-year run was largely successful.

There is no public evidence just yet that Spielman has the desire — or the sway — to make a move at the veteran QB, but connecting the dots, it does make a lot of sense.

Kirk Cousins might be the most logical QB option for the NY Jets

The Jets wouldn't bring in Spielman not to have a significant voice within the organization. Woody Johnson trusted him enough to hand over his head coaching search to his firm, and he comes with too impressive a resume to ignore his thoughts in any football discussion.

No one has any idea of who will be behind center for the Jets in 2025. It could be Aaron Rodgers, it could be Tyrod Taylor, or it could be maybe 15 other different names if you go far enough down the list. No matter how long that list is, though, Kirk Cousins has to be on it somewhere.

Despite signing him to a massive deal last offseason, the Falcons are reportedly ready to move on from Cousins. He was benched midseason due to his struggles, along with the team’s overall underperformance. His expected successor, Michael Penix Jr., has already taken his spot.

Assuming recent reports are accurate and Cousins does become available, the Jets could view him as a sensible bridge QB until they hone in on a long-term solution.

Even if the Jets do draft a QB, it makes a lot of sense to give him a really accomplished mentor to learn from for a season. Rodgers would be a good option for that, but you could argue that the well-respected Cousins might be an even better option.

If the Jets obtain him via free agency, it will likely come at a minuscule price tag due to his plummeting in value and his security with the guaranteed money from Atlanta. If the chips fall right, it's a very plausible scenario.

It may not be the most exciting option for Jets fans, but on their long list of potential options, most aren't exciting anyway. It might end up making the most sense.

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