New report opens door to New England Patriots potentially pursuing Kirk Cousins in NFL free agency

A new report about the New England Patriots strategy for the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft may open the door to the team pursuing star quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency.

After an awful 4-13 showing in 2023-24, the Patriots are looking to bounce back in a major way next season. The organization took the bold step of ending its legendary relationship with head coach Bill Belichick. They immediately hired Jerod Mayo to replace him, and they intend to use a boatload of salary cap space they have to improve the roster.

However, they also own the third overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. With the team in clear need of finding a long-term answer at quarterback, many have speculated they would use the selection on one of the top three QBs available in this year’s class. However, a new report suggests they may actually go the free-agent route to address the starting QB spot.

New England Patriots expected to trade out of No. 3 pick in NFL Draft

On Saturday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano revealed a fascinating bit of intel he is hearing from sources around the league.

“The Patriots need a quarterback, but there are people around the league who believe they are open to trading the No. 3 selection, moving back in the draft, and addressing the quarterback position in free agency,” Graziano wrote. “If the Pats do trade that pick — which could be [Jayden] Daniels or [Drake]Maye — the two teams I’d keep an eye on are the Falcons (moving from the No. 8 spot) and the Vikings (moving from the No. 11 spot, assuming they don’t bring back Cousins).”

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Patriots owner Robert Kraft very much wants to get the organization back to their winning ways. Without a doubt, the best signal caller on this year’s market is four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins. Although the Vikings star won’t be a fix for the next decade at 35, he would instantly give them a massive upgrade at the sport’s most important position and they have the money to sign him.

Kirk Cousins stats (2023): 8 games, 2,331 passing yards, 18 TD, 5 INT, 103.8 rating

The team could certainly decide to target Baker Mayfield, Jacoby Brissett, or Gardner Minshew in free agency, but that would be a major disappointment to Pats fans, especially if they passed on a QB with their top pick. If the team does trade out of No. 3 and select weapons on offense and players to bolster the offensive line, it could indicate a pursuit of Cousins is on the horizon.