The Broncos are in dire need of quarterback help, and there will be a signal-caller on the open market that certainly would be able to help Denver out in a big way.
The AFC West club has been searching for an answer under center since Peyton Manning hung up his cleats. Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch and Brock Osweiler all have had the opportunity to take the reins, but no one in that bunch has flashed any level of consistently strong play.
Enter Kirk Cousins.
The veteran QB will be highly sought after when free agency officially opens next week. Cousins shined with the Redskins after taking the starting job from Robert Griffin III, but Washington decided to move on this offseason, trading for Alex Smith and declining to franchise tag Cousins.
The Broncos reportedly are on a short list of teams with a real chance of bringing in Cousins. Denver seemingly has been linked to the 29-year-old since the 2017 season ended, and its best player began the courtship process rather early.
Von Miller has been open about his admiration for Cousins, even going as far as saying in a January interview that the Broncos “need” the 2016 Pro Bowl selection. The star linebacker doubled down on his sentiment in a recent interview with The Denver Post, explaining Cousins has the talent to take Denver to new heights.
“He’s just that type of player,” Miller said “He not only would be a difference-maker to my team, but any team he goes to in the National Football League. It’s an instant upgrade, leadership, he can throw and make all the passes on the field. So, yeah, when you get a guy like that, you’re automatically in Super Bowl contention.”
Miller’s claim definitely is a bit far-fetched. While a team like the Minnesota Vikings immediately would become a Super Bowl favorite with Cousins under center, it’s hard to imagine a struggling squad like the New York Jets competing for a Lombardi Trophy in 2018, even with Cousins in the fold.
In the case of the Broncos, it would be a lot to ask of Cousins to bring a 5-11 team in 2017 to NFL’s biggest stage the following season. Denver possesses enough talented weapons to become a dynamic offense led by Cousins, but the team’s defense looked like a shell of its past self last season. Cousins undoubtedly would make the Broncos better, but better enough to reach the Super Bowl seems unlikely.
