Saturday 3 February 2018 00:04, UK
Soon-to-be free agent Kirk Cousins says whichever team he leaves the Washington Redskins for, "he wants to win".
The Redskins acquired quarterback Alex Smith in a trade from the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday night, leaving Cousins, in his own words, "in transition".
Speaking to Sky Sports' Neil Reynolds and Jeff Reinebold during Super Bowl Week in Minneapolis, Cousins said he does now expect to become a free agent when the window opens on March 14, adding that winning would have to be a factor in wherever he moved.
Click on the video above to watch Cousins' interview in full.
"We're kind of in transition right now," Cousins said. "The [Alex Smith] trade has only been agreed to in principle so, in theory, it's not set in stone. Crazier things have happened.
"But, from there I'll have a decision to make and that will be an interesting process.
"It starts with teams needing to have an interest in me. They have to come our way and once they do that, we'd hopefully then have the opportunity to decide what's best for us.
"It's going to be all about winning. I've learned you have to win in this league to have fun, enjoy it and have a meaningful career. That's what you'll be remembered for; that's why we do this.
"Sure, it's a business, but I want to win and be a part of a winning team - not only for one season, but for the majority of my career."
If the Smith deal does go through, in return the Chiefs will receive cornerback Kendall Fuller along with a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Talking further about the deal while making the rounds for more interviews along Radio Row at the Super Bowl, Cousins told Sirius that the move came "as a surprise".
"I certainly hadn't heard anything," added. "But, in this league, I learned curveballs come all the time.
"It's a unique opportunity I look forward to. I haven't had a chance to pick where I play since 2007, when I chose to go to Michigan State."
Talking further to NFL Network, Cousins recalled how he found out about the deal from friends before hearing from the Redskins.
"I was working out at my hotel here in Minneapolis, and when the workout ended, I had a long list of text messages and people reaching out," Cousins said. "A bunch of friends who said, 'Did you hear the news? Did you hear the news?' So I quickly found out what had happened.
"The next day [the Redskins] reached out and just kind of explained what happened."
The 29-year-old Cousins threw for 4,093 yards and 27 touchdowns with 13 interceptions this season for the Redskins.
Washington used the franchise tag on Cousins, a fourth-round pick in 2012, each of the previous two offseasons. He started the last three seasons and topped 4,000 yards each time. The Redskins have to decide whether to use another tag on him at a cost of $34.5m (franchise) or $28.7m (transition).
In light of the Smith trade, it appears that decision has been made.
Cousins also said he was glad to hear players lobby their teams for him.
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller earlier this week said he believed Cousins "could take us over the edge" while Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson told ESPN's First Take "Kirk can definitely get us over the top".
"Anytime you hear positive things from your peers it means a great deal," Cousins told USA Today. "It shows there are a lot of great options and hopefully we can find the best possible fit."
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