Jets Must Focus on Cousins after Skins acquire Chiefs' Alex Smith

The New York Jets have been given a golden opportunity, as has just about any of the other NFL teams desperate for a quarterback in 2018. The Kansas City Chiefs traded Alex Smith to the Washington Redskins for a third round pick and cornerback Kendall Fuller, and inexplicably, the Redskins gave Smith a four-year contract extension with $71 million guaranteed.

What it means for Redskins incumbent quarterback Kirk Cousins is simple: he's a free agent. After playing two straight seasons under a franchise tag, the Skins decided it was time to move on from Cousins and allow him to pursue free agency.

For those looking to sign Cousins, this is huge news, because the Redskins can't block Cousins path to another team with a third franchise tag. Let the bidding war begin.

The Jets will have competition if they want Cousins. The Broncos and Jaguars are said to be interested. Denver offers a big market with a small market feel of the mountain west, low taxes, and of course a great history of success. The Broncos also have a great defense, and solid playmaker offensively to convince Cousins to come. Meanwhile, the Jaguars are coming off a berth in the AFC title game with a ton of young, budding talent. Not to mention, Jacksonville is not that far away from Atlanta, Georgia where Cousin's wife grew up.

So if the Jets want Cousins, it won't be easy. They have to pull out all the stops in trying to lure Cousins to New York. They have no choice.

This is the seminal moment for Jets GM Mike Maccagnan. He struck out in the draft twice with Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg, and has only been successful in luring aging quarterbacks, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh McCown to the team. The Jets need a face that can change the culture of this team once and for all.

While Cousins success in the NFL is limited, his numbers the past three seasons as a starter for the Washington Redskins is quiet impressive. He's completed about 65 precent of his passes and thrown for 4,000 yards in each of the last three years. His touchdown to interception ratio is 2-1, having thrown more than 25 touchdowns in each of the past three years.

Next season, Cousins will be 30 years old, still very much in the prime of his career, and at a point in his career where he could become even better. Just look at Drew Brees for example. He left San Diego after five years as a mediocre quarterback, only to become a Hall of Famer in New Orleans. Sometimes a change of scenery is good, and the Jets have to find a way to convince Cousins that New York is the change he needs.

By signing Cousins, the Jets won't have to worry about which rookie quarterback will drop to them in the draft. Instead New York could focus on the offensive line, running game, or even the pass rush if they so choose.

Keep in mind however, the Jets chances are long. This is a team that has not made the playoffs in seven years, has a coach who is on the hot seat, and still doesn't have a lot of great skill players around the quarterback. The Jets are not an ideal destination.

If the Jets were to lose out on Cousins to a team like the Broncos, it could be turned into a positive. How? Unless Denver trades the number five pick to someone like Arizona, the Jets could see a Josh Allen, Sam Darnold, or Josh Rosen drop to them at six. So while losing out on a quality quarterback in Cousins would hurt, it wouldn't be a total loss if the Jets still get the young quarterback they wanted.

The ball is in Mike Maccagnan's court. He has to make it happen. Bring in Kirk Cousins and change the Jets future forever.