You can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well, you just might find, you get what you need.
I assume the Rolling Stones were talking about NFL quarterbacks. Well, maybe not, but it sure as hell works. The art of finding a QB is anything but simple. NFL GMs spend an insane amount of resources, time, and money to get a guy they believe can take them to the next level. Yet, most teams still have to go through Plan A and B only to land on Plan C or D.
The Minnesota Miracle year is a great example. Two years before, they had spent draft capital and resources developing Teddy Bridgewater, their quarterback of the future. After his devastating injury and trading a first-round pick for Sam Bradford, they still wound up with Case Keenum. He might not have been what they wanted, but he did his job and helped lead them to the NFC Championship game in that season.
Pro Football Focus currently has the Denver Broncos roster ranked in the top 10, but they are the only top 10 team that doesn’t have a top 10 quarterback. Nearly every expert agrees they’ve put together a Super Bowl contending team that is only a QB away from making a whole lot of noise. In many ways, it feels incredibly similar to the Broncos roster before the arrival of Peyton Manning.
Unless Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater are able to buy Clark Kent‘s phone booth off of eBay, there is no reason to believe that either one of them can transform into the type of starter Denver needs to get over the hump.
So, first, let’s talk about what the Broncos want. Obviously, like everyone else, they want elite. They were one of the top rumored places for Aaron Rodgers before his return to the Green Bay Packers. He is still the dream, but by no means can Denver count on his availability. If we’ve learned anything in the last six months, it’s that we have no idea how Rodgers is going to handle his business.
Deshaun Watson has all the talent for elite long-term play but, he has far too many off-the-field issues that don’t seem like they will be resolved anytime soon. The type of intricate deal it would take to get to Watson in Denver while he’s still dealing with his legal problems is likely far too much for the organization to take a risk on.
Despite a turbulent off-season, Russell Wilson is back with the Seattle Seahawks and seemingly happy. We have every reason to believe he’s back in Seahawk-for-life mode.
So if all the wants are gone, that leaves Denver with the needs. The guys who aren’t at the top of their list but are likely good enough to take this exceptional roster to a Super Bowl. Both Jimmy Garoppolo and Matt Ryan make a ton of sense. They both have Super Bowl experience and will likely both be available soon. But there is one QB who isn’t getting as much mention that might be the most likely option — a QB that they’re about to see in joint practice and a preseason game.
Ladies and gentlemen, Kirk Cousins.
Despite his ability to divide every fan base he plays in front of, Cousins is absolutely a top-8 to -12 quarterback in this league. If you like Jimmy Garoppolo, you should absolutely love Kirk Cousins. Hell, ask Kyle Shanahan. He does.
The drafting of Kellen Mond signaled the Vikings’ train of thought. For the first time it appeared they were looking beyond the Cousins era. Rumors around the NFL Draft indicated that the purple tried everything they could to reach up and grab Justin Fields. Had that happened, there is a possibility Kirk could’ve been traded on draft night. If the right deal comes around next off-season, the Vikings could be ready to move on.
The new man in charge for the Broncos, George Paton, was a long-time Vikings fixture. He was involved in the original Cousins deal and his extension. If anybody has a realistic understanding of what Kirk can do for a franchise, it’s him. And one would have to believe that given John Elway‘s personality, work ethic, and conservative nature, he would love how Cousins handles his business.
So, keep your eye on Cousins as the Broncos take the field at TCO Performance Center in Eagan for joint practices this week. If he performs well and impresses, it will only bolster him as a possible future option. He might not be exactly what the Broncos want, but if they pay close attention the next two days, they just might find he’s what they need.
