The Denver Broncos are considering starting Jarrett Stidham at the beginning of next season, according to Mike Klis of 9News on March 14. However, they still looked into their options in free agency.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Broncos wanted to contact four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins's agent, Mike McCartney, when the early negotiating period opened on March 11.
As it turns out, the Denver leadership did just that.
The Broncos and GM George Paton reached out to McCartney and let him know they were interested in Cousins if the market changed a bit due to cap limitations. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported this on March 18. Cousins, 35, is coming off an injury-shortened 2023 season where he completed 69.5% of his passes for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games.
He agreed to a
four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons when free agency began. with the Cousins will earn $12.5 million in base salary and has a $25 million cap hit in the first year of his new contract. The Broncos have $20.9 million in cap space, while making cap-clearing moves and securing money for players.
Broncos Made List of Kirk Cousins’ Potential Landing Spots per SpotracKirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta was always a favorite landing spot for Cousins in free agency, over the Broncos or any other potential destination. He has ties to the coaching staff, and his wife is from the area. Nevertheless, the Broncos were on the relatively short list of teams Cousins’ agent was considering.
“McCartney had an Excel spreadsheet ready, with the quarterbacking landscape for 2024 sketched out,” Breer wrote. “He had the
GettyLas Vegas Raiders
New England Patriots
New York Jets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers listed in the “strong needs” category at the position. He had Atlanta,, , the Arizona Cardinals, Denver Broncos,, Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams listed as “concerning,” and the ChicagoNew Orleans Saints New York Giants, Minnesota and the Seattle Seahawks Washington Commanders as “teams to watch., The potential fit of Cousins with the Broncos, especially Head Coach, , seemed to be a good match. and Payton’s offense relies on rhythm and timing, as former Saints quarterback has pointed out as it relates to what went wrong with
Russell Wilson Sean Payton. And Cousins has thrived in one of the league’s most prominent such offenses in his career.
Broncos ‘Balked’ at Sam Darnold’s Asking Price in Free Agency Drew Brees Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings. Denver went 0-for-2 in pursuit of Vikings quarterbacks in free agency this offseason in their attempts to replace Wilson, who will try to stave offJustin Fields
as QB1 with the
GettyPittsburgh Steelers
In addition to Cousins, the Broncos also pursued current Vikings quarterback “The Broncos did show interest free-agent quarterback Sam Darnold on Monday,” Klis wrote on March 14. “But the Broncos balked at his $10 million asking price . Sources familiar with the situation say Darnold strongly preferred the Minnesota Vikings, with all they have to offer, over the Broncos, who are clearly in transition following the release of Russell Wilson and his dead-cap consequences.”.
Klis also says that the Broncos intend to select a quarterback with the 12th overall pick in the upcoming draft, since they didn't sign one in free agency in April. Sam Darnold.
That might have affected the Broncos' choice to invest a lot of money in Darnold during free agency. George Paton, the general manager of the Denver Broncos, expressed interest in signing this quarterback who has been selected for the Pro Bowl multiple times, during free agency.. Sources familiar with the situation say Darnold strongly preferred the Minnesota Vikings, with all they have to offer, over the Broncos, who are clearly in transition following the release of Russell Wilson and his dead-cap consequences.”
Klis also reports on the Broncos’ plans to use the No. 12 overall pick of the draft in April on a quarterback after not signing one in free agency.
That may have influenced the Broncos’ decision to commit significant money to Darnold in free agency.
