Now that the Aaron Rodgers question is answered, what’s next at quarterback for the New York Jets?
Tyrod Taylor is the leader in the clubhouse according to many rumors. However, ESPN’s Rich Cimini mentioned a name to keep a close eye on: Kirk Cousins.
Cimini’s reasoning is twofold. For one thing, the Jets will be looking for a “team-first” quarterback rather than one with personal baggage, and Cousins fits that bill.
More to the point, Cousins has a $27.5 million guaranteed salary from the Falcons in 2025. Therefore, if Atlanta releases him, he’ll still be collecting a hefty salary from them. That leaves another team free to sign him to a veteran minimum deal, a la Russell Wilson from the 2024 offseason. The veteran minimum for a player of Cousins’ experience will be $1.255 million in 2025.
From those two perspectives, Cousins makes as much sense as any other option. He has upside over Tyrod Taylor, as he played at a very high level as recently as 2023. For such a cheap price, there is almost no downside.
That is despite the fact that Cousins played extremely poorly in 2024. Coming off an Achilles tear, Cousins’ mobility was nonexistent, and his arm appeared shot. After a five-game stretch during which he posted 1:9 TD:INT ratio, the Falcons benched him for rookie No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins finished his season with an 18:16 TD:INT ratio, tying for the most interceptions in the NFL while playing in only 14 games. Cousins also ranked 30th of 34 qualified quarterbacks (min. 275 dropbacks) with a 2.7% big-time throw rate and 31st with a 4.6% turnover-worthy play rate. He added the third-quickest time to throw (2.54 seconds).
These statistics speak to a quarterback with a weak arm, a propensity for putting the ball in harm’s way, and a distrust of himself and his teammates. That’s not exactly an inspiring group of traits for a starting quarterback.
Other parts of Cousins’ game weren’t quite as bad, though. He finished 8th in yards per attempt (7.7), 11th in completion percentage (66.9%), 18th in EPA per dropback (0.068), 16th in FTN Fantasy’s DYAR (493), and 16th in FTN Fantasy’s DVOA (5.2%). Despite a high turnover rate, Cousins actually remained reasonably efficient.
The biggest red flag in Cousins’ 2024 profile was his failure in the deep middle of the field. On throws 20+ yards downfield in the middle of the field, Cousins completed 55.7% of his passes with three touchdowns and nine interceptions. Throwing the deeper middle routes has been a staple of the Lions’ offense, and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand may bring that focus over to New York.
While moving on from an aging quarterback with declining skills, it seemingly doesn’t make much sense to bring in another aging quarterback with declining skills. Still, what’s the downside? Where Rodgers brought endless drama to the team, Cousins will bring stability. For the league minimum, wouldn’t Cousins be, at the very worst, a good backup?
Assuming the Falcons release him (which they essentially have no choice but to do), Cousins is a viable option for the Jets. He would be nothing more than a bridge quarterback, but that seems to be the Jets’ primary route regardless. Keep an eye on this proposition as the offseason moves on.
