NFL free agency is just over a week away, but Kirk Cousins seems to be getting a head start on his decision-making.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Pro Bowl quarterback tweeted a photo of himself at age 18, the last time he was a free agent, then asked for suggestions of where he should sign.
Next week is now officially the first time since 2007 that I’ll be choosing where to play football. I’m open to suggestions. #freeagency pic.twitter.com/hnkbFkLLm2
— Kirk Cousins (@KirkCousins8) March 6, 2018
As of this writing, Cousins’ tweet has generated more than 5,000 replies in an hour and a half, and some of them are quite colorful.
Former NFL lineman and ESPN analyst Damien Woody made a pitch for the Jets, who could certainly use a quarterback these days.
U know u want to! #Jets pic.twitter.com/FcXetDhg1Z
— Damien Woody (@damienwoody) March 6, 2018
NFL Network personality Adam Rank suggested the Browns, which was met with exactly the reaction you would expect.
I thought we were on the same wavelength when I told you to go to Cleveland.
— Adam Rank (@adamrank) March 6, 2018
He’s still young no need to join a team that kills quarterbacks.
— Adam Young (@adamyoungmoney) March 6, 2018
Meanwhile, Cousins’ mentions filled with Broncos fans and Vikings fans and all sorts of other fans earnestly arguing for their favorite teams, as if the quarterback would read and consider each reply.
Got some homies for you to toss the rock to pic.twitter.com/JPdCse7SAy
— Otis Merryweather (@Swildman15) March 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/skolvikes79/status/971156264842661889
You want a family? Come to Arizona. pic.twitter.com/DGHbi5MBFK
— Caleb Danger Spacht (@dangersp8) March 6, 2018
If you want to just have some fun, I'm sure New York and Denver would be good. On the other hand, if you want to become a legend, I'd suggest THE @buffalobills
— Buffalo Bro (@BuffaloBr0) March 6, 2018
Don’t worry, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were represented.
@sskroughriders pic.twitter.com/JjnmsIUtFQ
— J Book (@jaynovel) March 6, 2018
But the most notable response to Cousins came from Broncos receiver Emmanuel Sanders, who pointed out that the Pro Bowler throwing to himself and Demaryius Thomas could be “dangerous,” then replied to several fans who questioned him.
The @kirkCousins8 to @DemaryiusT and myself 🙋🏾♂️ combination would be dangerous!!!
What y’all think? 👍🏽or 👎🏾 https://t.co/7pNaDiea1W— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) March 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/ESanders_10/status/971161577767559174
https://twitter.com/ESanders_10/status/971161897398669312
https://twitter.com/ESanders_10/status/971163203366522880
https://twitter.com/ESanders_10/status/971168662945239044
Is this, along with Von Miller’s plea for Cousins on ESPN’s First Take, a violation of the NFL’s notoriously strict tampering rules? Sure seems like it. But maybe the fine would be worth it for Sanders, Miller and the Broncos. Denver could seriously use a veteran quarterback, and Cousins is easily the best available. And given that reports have him leaning toward the Vikings while also considering the Jets, it already seems like time for a last-ditch Broncos appeal.
Anyway, Cousins will soon make his decision, one that will probably come down to money, location, likelihood of winning and all the other things that affect athletes’ free-agent choices. It will presumably not come down to suggestions on Twitter, but it was nice of him to solicit them anyway.
