The Real Winner of the Alex Smith Trade: The Jets

As you probably know, Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was dealt to the Washington Redskins in a blockbuster deal on Tuesday. This trade caused an explosion from the sports world, and a huge change up for many teams offseason plans.

This trade guaranteed that Kirk Cousins will be a unrestricted free agent come March 14th – the leagues “new year”. Top candidates include the Jets, Browns, Broncos and Cardinals.

This trade effected the Jets in many ways. It ultimately works out perfectly for them as they now stand in a win-win situation.

The possible scenarios:

The Jets either: A, sign Kirk Cousins to a mega deal or B, get to choose from basically any quarterback they want come draft day.

The Jets have the second most cap-space in the NFL behind only the Cleveland Browns. They can offer Cousins as much money as they want to, and still have a whole lot to spare. In fact, if the Jets give Cousins a $35 million dollar deal, they likely will have about $65 million more to spend, more than most teams have to start. The Jets are currently the second highest favorite to sign Cousins, with odds standing at 8:5.

Odds from @BetDSI for Kirk Cousins' team in Week 1 of 2018 regular season:

Browns +175
Jets +230
Broncos +300
Bills +450
Vikings +800
Cardinals +1000
Jaguars +1500
Buccaneers +1500 pic.twitter.com/AeHpuRmgx8

— Covers (@Covers) January 31, 2018

Would Cousins Be The Right Fit?

Cousins actually went out during a WFAN radio interview and highly praised Jets’ new offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, who just so happens to be a former quarterback coach. All signs point to him signing, right? Right??

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However, say the Jets don’t land Cousins. Whether the Browns or the Broncos sign him, that leaves one less team to draft a quarterback in the top six. This gives Mike Maccagnan a shot at whoever he wants.

Take a look at this scenario: Broncos sign Kirk Cousins. Browns take Sam Darnold with the first overall pick, and Giants take Josh Rosen with the second. Unless someone trades up, this gives the Jets an opportunity at Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield.

Let’s say Browns get Cousins. If they don’t trade out of the first overall (which they probably would), Giants would likely take Darnold and the Broncos would choose between Rosen, Mayfield and Allen. That leaves the Jets with a choice of at least two of those.

#Jets sign Cousins. They have Cousins. Denver signs Cousins. #Jets draft Baker. You almost can't mess this up. https://t.co/TvppmzpFen

— Joe Caporoso (@JCaporoso) January 31, 2018

Evidently, with Cousins on his way to the free agent market, this was a dream come true for the Jets. No matter what, the Jets get some benefit from this (unless he signs with Arizona, which would be seriously heartbreaking). Time will tell the future of Cousins’ career, along with who will be quarterbacking the Jets come the 2018 season.

– James Cunningham is a staff writer for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @nyjfansnation Follow @FPC_Jets