The Jets were one of the early front-runners in the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes. They had multiple factors working in their favor. They had an enormous amount of cash and cap space to spend. They had an offensive coordinator, Jeremy Bates, with a system Cousins favors. And they're in a major market.
Yet the Jets aren't expected to get their man. Instead Cousins will reportedly sign a three-year $84 million deal -- fully guaranteed -- with the Vikings, which has apparently forced the Jets to go with a quantity-over-quality approach. And the Patriots may be better off for it.
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According to Josh McCown's agent Mike McCartney (who also happens to be Cousins' agent), the Jets and McCown have agreed to a one-year contract. The Jets are also talking with former Vikes quarterback Teddy Bridgewater about a new contract, according to NFL Media. And even if they come to an agreement with Bridgewater, the Jets might not stop there. They could still be in play for a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in this year's draft.
There's some sense in what the Jets are doing. McCown, who turns 39 in July, will provide the Jets with a veteran presence in the quarterback room and a capable starter for one season. That leaves 2019 open for Bridgewater (a legitimate option if he can return to his 2015 form) or a top-end draft pick like, say, Baker Mayfield.
It's good to have options. It's better to have a sure thing. That's what Cousins is, even if he's not a top-10 guy. And when he heads to the NFC as opposed to the AFC East, the Patriots will have dodged a bullet of sorts.
