It’s always good to have a backup plan, especially when it comes to free agency.
For several teams this offseason, Kirk Cousins is Plan A. The 29-year-old is set to officially become a free agent next week, and a number of teams are expected to kick the tires on the veteran quarterback.
In the case of the Broncos, Case Keenum reportedly is Denver’s Plan B if the team is unable to reel in Cousins. Keenum also is primed to become a free agent when the new league year opens after not receiving the franchise tag from the Minnesota Vikings. And the Vikings, who reportedly also are in on the Cousins sweepstakes, appear to have their backup plan lined up as well.
“The buzz is that the Broncos will be in heavy on Keenum if they strike out on Cousins. Same goes for the Vikings with (A.J.) McCarron,” the MMQB’s Albert Breer writes. “In both cases, the team kicked around the idea of trading for the quarterback in question over the last couple of years, so there’s history there. Which means each player may be compelled to slow-play his market, if Cousins takes his time.”
The Vikings’ reported interest in McCarron is interesting, to say the least. The Alabama product only has appeared in 11 games with three starts after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. For a team with as much promise as Minnesota, trusting a quarterback with such little experience could be a risky move.
The Vikes could find themselves in a bidding war for McCarron, though. The Browns reportedly have strong interest in the 27-year-old, who could reunite with former Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator and current Cleveland coach Hue Jackson.
