Unsurprisingly, many expect quarterback-needy teams to inquire about Kirk Cousins’ services once he hits the free agent market. However, television pundit Nick Wright recently threw out a wild-card candidate — the San Francisco 49ers.
On Wednesday’s “First Things First” on FS1, Wright explained why Cousins should consider joining the reigning NFC champion.
“The best fit, if he wants to win a Super Bowl, is to go back to his old high school sweetheart — Kyle Shanahan — the guy that didn’t scout Patrick Mahomes because he was so certain he was getting Kirk Cousins,” Wright said. “I know people would be mad — it’s unfair to Brock [Purdy] — sports can be unfair, sorry. The Niners would be better.”
No one doubts the four-time Pro Bowler’s skills, but in the eyes of most, Cousins is a good, not great QB. Someone who can win a lot of regular season games and help a team make the postseason, but that’s about it. Joining the 49ers would be arguably his best shot at winning a Super Bowl and a chance to change his perception, much like Matthew Stafford did with the Los Angeles Rams.
Meanwhile, as Wright alluded to, Shanahan’s past interest in Cousins is well known. So there’s already a connection there.
Next on the checklist is whether the 49ers would be willing to push Purdy aside and if the team would accept the move. Would general manager John Lynch and the franchise’s brass be willing to risk alienating the locker room, or is bringing in a proven talent like Cousins worth it? If the move was purely up to Shanahan, Wright believes he wouldn’t blink.
“Will he take less money? I don’t know,” Wright said. “But if he would, I bet you Kyle Shanahan would do it. I think he’s wanted Kirk Cousins for the better part of seven years.”
If this were Madden, perhaps Wright’s idea would be believable. However, in real-life terms, it’s a much more challenging sell.
Maybe the only agreeable thing that Wright said was that Purdy wasn’t why the 49ers lost the Super Bowl. He didn’t will them to a win either, but it’s safe to say that he’s earned the right to keep his job, even over someone with Cousins’ resume.
