Could Kirk Cousins help get the Broncos a new quarterback?

The Denver Broncos are watching the quarterback market closely this offseason. They were involved in trade talks with the Detroit Lions for veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford, but they were outbid with a huge deal from the Los Angeles Rams. With Jared Goff being sent to the Lions, those two teams just swapped quarterbacks and that didn’t open another opportunity for the Broncos.

However, up in Minnesota, there is buzz building that the team could move on from Kirk Cousins. While the Broncos may not be in the Cousins discussion, perhaps a trade of Cousins could open a quarterback from the team he goes to. There are going to be multiple quarterback moves this offseason, and the Broncos need to be able to be flexible when it comes to their plan.

Could a move for Cousins get the Broncos a new quarterback for the 2021 season? Let me explain.

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49ers a Team to Watch

According to a recent report, the San Francisco 49ers may want to make a trade for Cousins. The move would make a ton of sense given the fact that Cousins could step in from day one and run the Kyle Shanahan offense because it’s similar to what he ran under Gary Kubiak over the last few years.

Even though some may not see this as an upgrade, the 49ers might. Jimmy Garoppolo has talent, but he is also injury prone. After backing up Tom Brady for four years with the New England Patriots, Garoppolo was pegged as the starter for the 49ers. In four seasons with San Francisco, however, Garoppolo has only played a full 16-game season once (2019). In the other three seasons combined, he has only played in 15 games total.

#49ers still looking to make a move at QB. Kirk Cousins, I'm told, is a name to keep an eye on. If #Vikings are open to dealing, San Francisco will push hard to acquire him. Ties with Shanahan make this an intriguing potential fit.

— Evan Massey (@massey_evan) February 1, 2021

So, if the 49ers make a move for Cousins, what would that do for the Broncos? It would give them a shot at a quarterback who went to a Super Bowl the only time he’s played a full season. It would also allow them to push Drew Lock with a seasoned veteran who is actually a good starting option.

Going with Jeff Driskel as the primary backup to Lock in 2020 was the biggest disservice they could do to their young quarterback. Driskel didn’t push Lock or make him better, but a healthy Garoppolo would do that.

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Do You Want Jimmy G?

If the 49ers make a move for a quarterback, then Garoppolo is clearly going to be available. Coming out of Eastern Illinois, Garoppolo was known as a smart quarterback with a lightning quick release. In the pros, Garoppolo has been good when he’s at full strength.

His quick release should keep the rush away from him better, but to this point, it has not. His 2020 season was cut short by an ankle injury and he only played in six games last year. Garoppolo would be fresh, as he almost returned to the lineup for the 49ers in the season finale.

The 49ers believe in Garoppolo, and in the recent trade for Stafford they didn’t even submit an official offer. They did inquire about Stafford, but felt good enough with Garoppolo to stay put. That might not be the case if they learn that Cousins is available. The Broncos have to be asking themselves right now if they want Garoppolo because there’s a chance he might become available.

PFF Grade since 2018:
🔸 Kirk Cousins: 88.9 (7th)
🔸 Jimmy Garoppolo: 75.6 (T-22nd) pic.twitter.com/aW4TmiZO3e

— PFF (@PFF) February 1, 2021

If he becomes available, will the Broncos make a move for a passer who has thrived (when healthy) in a Shanahan system? Garoppolo is under contract through the 2022 season. He has a cap number of $26.4 million in 2021 and $27 million in 2022, with only $2.8 million remaining in dead money. That’s a good price if you think Garoppolo can stay healthy and get this franchise back on track.

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Just Say No to First-Round QBs

The Broncos have the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 49ers have the No. 12 overall pick in the draft. Currently, it doesn’t seem like either team has plans to take a quarterback with that selection.

The top two quarterbacks (Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields) will both be off the board by the time the Broncos and 49ers pick and going with another player – no matter the upside – at that point means more time and development would be needed. With Lawrence and Fields, they can step in and start right away. With the other guys, they’ll need time to learn the NFL game.

49ers general manager John Lynch says the team isn’t likely to draft a quarterback in the first round this spring.

“We certainly could (select a QB, but) I don’t anticipate that right now. But we’re so early in the process, we’ll do what’s best for this team,” Lynch said, via NBC Sports Bay Area. “I do wanna make it clear, and I think Kyle and I have been fairly transparent since we’ve been here, we have a lot of belief in Jimmy Garoppolo. Where does that come from? It comes from the sample that we have, and when he’s been out there, we’ve been better. We’ve been successful.”

If the Broncos aren’t going to take a quarterback, then they must be ready for other options out there. With the Houston Texans reportedly waiting to trade Deshaun Watson until before the draft, the Broncos must have other plans in place. They can’t just rely on the fact they can get Watson and miss out on other players who could fit what they need.

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