Opinion: Why the Jets Are In The Drivers Seat for Cousins

[choon328]

The media is talking about how Cousins could get $60 million in the first year from the Jets. Most have assumed that means the Jets will use $60 million in cap space in 2018 for Cousins.  That almost certainly would not be the case.  It's more than likely that $50 million in his first year would be the signing bonus with a $10 million salary, the cap hit would be $20 million.  That would still leave, after cuts/trades, $70 million in cap space to address other needs.  This is a much more realistic option then using $60 million as the cap figure which makes no sense at all.  In 2017 the Jets were bottom 3 in cash spent to cap.  With that fact it makes it more likely that they're willing to put out more cash this year to off-set that.  That is also the way they'll be able to attract more free agents this off-season.  There has been talk that the Vikings would offer possibly $28 million/year to Cousins which is not much less than that Jets "reportedly" would be willing to spend on a yearly basis.  The big difference would be the amount of "cash" the Vikings would be willing to give Cousins in 2018, especially since they'll have to spend a ton of cash after 2018 to keep their young guys.  They may structure his offer in a way that gives him roster bonuses each year instead of the massive up front bonus that the Jets may be willing to give out.  They did spend about $32 million more in cash in 2017 than the Jets.  The Browns also spent about $35 million more in cash than the Jets last year.  I know the Browns have a ton of cap space but I'm not sure if they have the resources to compete with $60 million in cash for Cousins in year 1 like the Jets could.  Especially after two horrid years and being in Cleveland their cash flow is probably a little light these days.  The salary cap doesn't always tell the whole story.  The Vikings and Brown may be willing to guarantee Cousins first year at $25-$30 million but would he turn down upwards of $30 million in his first year to go to one of those teams?  I highly doubt it, especially if the Jets sell him on the idea that they have $70 million in cap space and 3 high draft picks to make the overall team better.  Cousins also said in an interview that he had a responsibility to other players who come after him to take a fair market deal to keep increasing the pay for whoever gets paid after him.  Players like him in his position don't come available that often and I would think he has a lot of pressure to set the market for other QB's looking to sign deals with their current teams within the next couple of years.  So that is why,in my opinion, the Jets are in the drivers seat here no matter what is being reported.  Cash is King.