QBs steal NFL free agency spotlight
Brees stays with Saints, Keenum going to Denver, Cousins to visit Minnesota
Drew Brees is staying put in the Big Easy. Case Keenum is headed to the Rocky Mountains.
Kirk Cousins? His first visit as a free agent will be to Minnesota, with the Vikings long considered a natural landing spot for one of the most valuable quarterbacks.
One day before the league’s new year begins, quarterbacks are again stealing the spotlight, starting with Brees.
The Saints star has agreed to a two-year, $50 million extension with New Orleans, with $27 million guaranteed the first year, two people familiar with the contract told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement has not been announced.
Brees is 39 and wants to finish his career in New Orleans, where he has played since 2006, won a Super Bowl and led what has been one of the most productive offences in the NFL since he and coach Sean Payton arrived.
“I’ll be here as long as they’ll have me,” Brees said after last season ended.
In 2017, Brees completed an NFL-record 72 per cent of his passes for 4,334 yards and 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He ranked fourth in the NFL in yards passing and the Saints ranked second in the NFL in total offence.
Keenum, a backup when the season began, guided Minnesota to the NFC North title and then into the conference championship game. He’ll cash in with the Broncos.
Denver chose to bypass incumbents Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch and go for Keenum, who can’t sign until Wednesday.
Cousins will visit with the Vikings on Wednesday, agent Mike McCartney said.
The Jets and Cardinals also make sense as fits for the 29-year-old who played consecutive seasons for Washington on franchise tags. New York also has shown interest in Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater and Arizona has done the same with Minnesota’s Sam Bradford.