Stinking Panthers After Kirk Cousins
February 22nd, 2022
Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins.
Since David Tepper bought the Stinking Panthers a couple of years ago he has been frantic in trying to find a starting quarterback.
The Bucs’ NFC South rivals first tried Teddy Bridgewater but that didn’t work (attention Bruce Arians). And then Tepper paid Sam Darnold after trying to trade for Deshaun Watson. And that didn’t work.
Now? Per Anthony Rizzuti of Yahoo!, Tepper had his servants call the Vikings looking to trade for Kirk Cousins.
On Monday’s edition of Purple Daily, Judd Zulgad of SKOR North noted that the Panthers recently inquired about the three-time Pro Bowler—who is on the final year of a two-year, $66 million mega extension.
“They have gotten a call. Now, from what I’ve heard, it went nowhere so far,” Zulgad said. “But it’s interesting that the phone did ring at TCO [Stadium] in Eagen and on the other end of the line . . . the Carolina Panthers.
“Quarterback-desperate. Panicked, I’m sure. I think if Matt Rhule and the Panthers don’t have a successful 2022, he’s probably going to be fired ’cause that has not worked out. They cast their lot, in 2021, with Sam Darnold—didn’t work out. And so I’ve heard that the Panthers . . . now the Vikings supposedly said ‘Hey, let’s put a pin in that conversation. We don’t plan to move him now.’”
So why is Joe typing about the Stinking Panthers? Well, the Vikings were reportedly added to Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson’s wishlist along with the Bucs. Joe reasoned that if the Vikings and not the Bucs were able to lure Watson, Cousins would be a nice fallback option for Tampa Bay.
If Cousins is off the table, does that drive up the price for Watson and spark a bidding war between the Bucs and the Vikings?
And yeah, Joe would be OK if Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht swung a deal for Cousins. The former Michigan State star is in the final year of his contract and the Bucs are likely in the final year of a Super Bowl window.
February 22nd, 2022 at 5:17 am
It’s about what Deshaun wants ; regardless who offers the best deal to Houston he has to agree . Bucs don’t have to give the biggest deal . If he wants to play here he will, Texans have no leverage all they can do is agree , or let Watson sit again & pay him 35million .
GoBucs!
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:09 am
JBF … ‘If Cousins is off the table, does that drive up the price for Watson and spark a bidding war between the Bucs and the Vikings?’
Speculation Scenario #47: Bucs become Vikings South.
Kirk Cousins is a decent ‘average’ QB. His career record is 59-59-1, about as average as you can get. Tosses the rock at a 66.9% completion rate (similar size to Derek Carr who’s thrown for a 65% average in his career). Cousins’ record with Minnesota has been 33-29-1 in 4 years with Mike Zimmer (2018-2021). Had 1 good season (10-5 as their QB) in 2019, only year Vikes made the playoffs with him at QB).
Impressive? Nah. Average? Pretty much. And that’s what the Bucs would be in 2021 with Cousins as our QB. But that’s IF we’re lucky, because acquiring Cousins (aka, letting Minnesota off the hook) wouldn’t come cheap. And just think, we’d get to keep him for a whole year if we traded for him at only $33 mil (plus draft picks of course), THEN we’d get the honor of overpaying him again, UNLESS someone else outbid us in 2023 of course.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:29 am
Gabbert, Cousins? I’ll give Gabbert a shot. He ‘ll come cheaper, and has four years in the offense. He has all those years with Evans, and Godwin. Already has a place to live, and can start throwing. He’ll be a bigger help to Trask also since he does know the offense like a coach. So let the stinking Pants have him. We got our guy.
February 22nd, 2022 at 6:44 am
Cousins is sooooooo middle of the pack. Like the former guy …the one before the goat …just plan ole average
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:14 am
Hodad is a Saints fan in disguise 🥸
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:38 am
I’d rather have Trask and Gabbert than the mess Watson or Cousins would bring.
Taking a year to reload the aging defense, then go get a top shelf QB (while giving the aforementioned a chance) is the logical choice here. Unloading draft picks after leveraging contracts into the future is a recipe for another lost decade.
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:47 am
Gabbert is not an NFL QB. I’m not a fan of Cousins but at least he’s gives you a chance. I would prefer Watson but the baggage may be too much. Hopefully the Panthers don’t make a deal for anyone.
February 22nd, 2022 at 7:53 am
I’m with Hodad on this, it might just be time to accept that there are no good free agent/trade options at quarterback this year. Russ is expensive. Rodgers would be even more expensive. Cousins is overpriced and overpayed for what he is. Teddy B and Jimmy G aren’t guys that you can count on to take you to the next level. Watson is expensive and twice the sleaze AB was. Honestly, the best option is Jameis but that would be bringing him back so it’s a no go. Unless Malik Willis somehow falls into our laps at 27, drafting a Qb would be stupid. Letting Gabbert and Trask duke it out is the best we can do given our cap and the situation around the league tbh.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:02 am
Keep the Band together
Sign Gabbert
Sign Godwin
Sign Jensen
Sign Gronk
Draft First Round Explosive WR
Make Brady wish he never left
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:15 am
I read that Carolina is gonna be a major player for Watson, not Kirk Cousins.
LOL, Watson should be right at home in Carolina. Anyone remember the Lesbian Cheerleaders that got busted in a Tampa Bathroom ?
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:28 am
Matt Rhule sucks the longer hes in Carolina the worse they will be. Thats good news for Bucs fans. The Saints are cap strapped -75 mil thats the real reason Payton left. And the Falcons are the Falcons win 6 or 7 games thats it. It doesn’t really matter who the Bucs put under center this fall they should win 8 or 9 games in this stinking division
And still go to the playoffs!
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:35 am
@Buc Neckid
Sooner or later, you need to accept that Bucs relation with Brady is over….is sad but is what it is….IF there is a chance he plays again (and that’s a big IF), sadly won’t be with us…..
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:35 am
Why be concerned about the Panthers? Their owner has no idea what’s over on how to run an NFL team. The Panthers will never go to the Superbowl again or the playoffs. Those days are over. Don’t be surprised if they are sold within 5 years and putout in St. Louis or Oakland…
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:46 am
Hodad is just being a realist. Just look at what’s out there, our cap situation. Gabbert signing, and starting makes the most sense.
February 22nd, 2022 at 8:53 am
Media forgets Watson has a no trade clause, doesn’t mater who is the highest bidder for Watson. It matters where he wants to go.
Be better Joe & Ira
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:14 am
QB Kirk Cousins is the best overall available option this off season because of his level of QB play in 2021, age 33, cost for a trade and lack of baggage.
He was top 10. PFF ranked Cousin no8 slightly behind Dak Prescott. He was ranked 11th on SISdatahub QB grades once again right below Dak Prescott.
Watson is the better QB aged 27 start of next season, his baggage level is high, his cost for trade is high 2 firsts, and price tag is just under 40m/y for 2022.
Long term Watson is the better pick up if he does not get more baggage.
Just have to balance the draft picks needed and the PR issues for the first year.
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:30 am
Bruh if Gabbert is signed you can say goodbye to Gronk, Lenny, and Godwin. They’re not playing with that trash throwing them the ball.
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:38 am
Watson nixed a trade to Carolina last year…..don’t think he wants to go….
February 22nd, 2022 at 9:38 am
@Pats Fan
The best possible option is Carr, if possible to get him. He has a similar cap hit to Brady for this year (~20 mil) which makes him easier to integrate cap wise than Cousins (35 mil) or Watson (40 mil). Cousins might be a top 10 QB on paper, but he hasn’t proven it on the field. Watson is just ew, no. Carr for Brady’s rights and a couple of firsts wouldn’t be the worst move the Bucs could make at QB.
February 22nd, 2022 at 10:07 am
Justin Jefferson, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Pierre Garçon, Jamison Crowder, and Desean Jackson have all feasted under Cousins. He or Carr are our best trading options
February 22nd, 2022 at 10:30 am
from a non biased standpoint, i actually see cousins as a really good fit with those stank azz panthers
February 22nd, 2022 at 11:13 am
I believe this is confirmed now.
Cousins to the Panthers. Adam Theilen going with him too.
Meanwhile the Bucs are running out of options.
February 22nd, 2022 at 11:38 am
Totally agree Joe. Cousins is not the qb savior that we want, but he is the one we deserve. When your team has talent, you do not rebuild. Gotta keep your offensive producers like CG and Lenny. Historically, BA knows how to get his teams to move the ball and score points. Our signal caller just needs to be able to manage the turnover game better than Jameis, while we hope the defense doesnt give up the big play. Considering TB12 likely did this better than anyone ever will, its obvious that this team needs to be better on the defensive side of the ball. Considering this is a passing league, the problem is not one isolated to just our team. I wonder and I find merit in devoting more resources into the defensive side of the ball. Is Bowles maximizing his talent and needs more playmakers, or are we shelling out money for veterans that he is comfortable working with?
February 22nd, 2022 at 4:37 pm
Lol, I’m going to be doing a lot of fishing and listening to Bucs games on the radio if we get Cousins. He’s the posterboy for idiot teams overpaying for barely average players.
February 22nd, 2022 at 4:39 pm
Cousins is slightly above the Carr/Jimmy G/Wentz level of QB and would make the Panthers a lot better. I hope they miss out, end up drafting some other young guy and it screws them up for another few years.