Report: Jets are after Cousins

The New York Jets are reportedly going all-in on Kirk Cousins.

ESPN on Monday cited sources saying the team is “willing to pay whatever it takes” to sign the Washington quarterback, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent in March.

Washington likely won’t re-sign Cousins after acquiring quarterback Alex Smith from Kansas City in a trade last month.

And if the team elects to give him a third franchise tag, Cousins reportedly will fight to block it by filing a grievance to the players’ union.

Cousins, 29, could command a record-breaking contract in free agency, with the potential to surpass Jimmy Garoppolo’s $27.5 million average ($137.5 million over five years), which the 49ers’ quarterback set this month.

The Jets have been searching for a long-term solution at quarterback for years and are flush with $73 million in projected cap space, which can increase to $100 million after several cuts.

Cousins would be an ideal fit for new Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, who will use many elements of mentor Mike Shanahan’s scheme. Shanahan drafted Cousins six years ago when he was Washington’s head coach.

The Vikings hired former Raiders offensive coordinator Todd Downing as a senior offensive assistant.

Downing will begin his 18th season in the NFL, the first five of which were with the Vikings as an intern, systems analyst and quality-control coach.

He was promoted to offensive coordinator in Oakland in 2017 after two years as quarterbacks coach.