Kirk Cousins masterfully dodges questions about a potential future as a Bronco

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Kirk Cousins has mastered the quarterback position, at least the media obligations that come with having the most important position in all of sports.

With rumors and speculation linking the Pro-Bowl quarterback to the Denver Broncos buzzing louder than a pesky mosquito hovering over your ear, the six-year player acted like a wise veteran—or politician—in his approach to questions surrounding this when he spoke with the Denver media on Wednesday.

When asked how he handled the outside noise revolving around his future and his contract—or lack thereof—the former fourth-round draft pick astutely said, “Well, you don’t really have to handle it if you aren’t really hearing it.”

“I think there will be plenty of time for that when the season ends. So I can focus right now on the Denver Broncos,” he said referring to his upcoming matchup against the Broncos, not about potentially becoming their quarterback in the future. “I have enough to keep me busy today with that and when the season ends I’ll have plenty of time to look at what’s next. But my best chance to have a successful future is to have a successful present. I want to be focused on today’s practice, do the best I can and hope that leads to a good outing on Sunday.”

His current head coach, Jay Gruden, had only the highest remarks for his quarterback saying, “You’ll never hear him say a bad word about anybody or a bad word in general,” in a voice nearly identical to his brother, Jon. What the younger of the two Gruden brothers forgot to add was you’ll never hear Cousins say a word about his unique and awkward contract situation.

“He’s done a great job of staying in his lane,” Gruden said, potentially trying to sign his quarterback to a long-term contract using compliments instead of millions dollar bills. “I haven’t really talked to him at all about his contract situation, nor has he brought it up. We are just trying to figure out ways to get first downs on the Bronco defense and worry about that when the season is over.”

After being franchised tagged two years in a row, there’s a growing belief that the 29-year-old signal caller will be allowed to hit the open market after this season. If that happens, he’ll not only be the hottest quarterback available, he’ll be the hottest free agent, period. With Denver desperately needing a proven quarterback, going after the best one available and making a big slash would certainly make sense for John Elway.

Earlier in the week, Cousins said successful NFL teams have continuity. When asked what some of those teams are that come to mind—in an effort to see if Kirk would crack and hint any interest in Denver—he remained mum, brushing off the question by saying, “Oh, I don’t know… You could name them for me.”

In a last-ditch effort, Cousins was asked about his pre-draft visit he took with the Broncos back in 2012. Instead of reminiscing about fun memory on his day trip to the Mile High City or a conversation he had with Elway, he gave about the most bland possible answer.

“I just remember flying out in the morning to Denver, getting picked up, going to the facility, meeting with the quarterback coach, offensive coordinator, head coach, president and meeting some of the support staff around the building,” he said while not really saying much. “Then getting back into the car and heading back to the airport in the afternoon. It was a quick trip.”

On Wednesday, the scoreboard read: Cousins 1, Denver media 0. However, if speculations become reality, he’ll be facing the Denver media much more frequently in the coming years.