With the free agency period opening today, the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes are hotting up. The big fish in the 2018 free agent class will be able to negotiate with teams from Monday afternoon, and the eyes of the NFL will be firmly fixed on the unfolding situation. Cousins is in line to make history. He's likely to become the league's highest paid player ever, and according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, he could be in line to be the first player in league history to get a full guaranteed deal. That would be of enormous significance to the future of free agency, and at least two teams are reportedly willing to take the plunge.

The Jets, Cardinals, Vikings and Broncos have been the names largely associated with pursuing the former Redskins QB, but it's not clear which of these teams are the ones ready to make the precedent setting move. 

Cousins is set to make his decision this week, after a few visits with teams, though it seems as though the Vikings are the frontrunners for his services at this early stage. Last season's NFC championship game losers are clearly an attractive option for the 29-year-old, with a loaded roster and the added bonus of playing at least 9 games a year in a dome. 

However, the Jets are thought to be one the teams willing to make the landscape altering fully guaranteed money offer. They have a league high $89.8million in cap space and could afford to pay Cousins the near $30million it would take to make him the highest paid player in history. 

Cousins himself seems to be relishing the opportunity, not only to get paid, but to choose where he will play his football for the foreseeable future. 

The former Pro Bowler will likely face pressure from fellow players to take the guarenteed money on offer, as the move would dramatically alter the future of free agency for elite players and quarterbacks in particular. 

If Cousins can command such a deal, then the likes of Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan, who will hit free agency in 2019 will be chomping at the bit to get theirs too. The pair of former MVP's will both be looking to secure extensions with their current teams, but what happens with Cousins is hugely significant to how both parties approach those negotiations. 

If Cousins gets fully guaranteed money then every franchise QB will start demanding it. And, it could see the beginning of a trend of increased player mobility around the league. 

It's exceedingly rare for an elite QB to move teams as a free agent, especially in the prime of their careers, but such a move would give them more leverage in contract negotiations. This could lead to more players deciding to test the market to see which teams will give them fully guaranteed money before deciding whether to re-sign or move on. 

The NFL has rarely seen such a significant free agent. Though he might not go down in history for his play on the field, he certainly could be remembered as the guy who ignited the spark and broke down the barriers for future players to receive full guaranteed deals. 

After playing two seasons under the franchise tag, Cousins deserves the right to choose. Players around the league are recruiting him actively, and it will be thoroughly intriguing to observe the situation as it unfolds.