His dead money hit isn't too bad, so maybe, but I just have a hard time seeing them playing hardball with a guy that had 14 TDs on the year. Even at 31 he's been very productive and is clearly a favorite target of Cousins, who is very likely to be the QB again next year. (Doesn't matter if people like him or not, 41 million in dead money tells me he'll be here)
I think Rudolph, Reiff and Stephen are much more likely cut candidates. Those three alone would free up 13 million-ish.
For me, best case scenario is getting someone to trade for Cousins and trading up to get a top QB not named TL.
The more realistic best case 2.0 is:
Theilen takes a home town discount for 2021, Rudy (expensive), Harris (a second safety to pair with Harry isn't worth it), Stephon gets cut, Barr takes a huge pay cut (Zim's love child, so not likely) and Reiff takes another big cut like this year. Ezra Cleveland plays well enough to be the future LT he was drafted to be, Reiff slides in and plays LG. You sign a really solid RG and the line is pretty solid for Kirk in 2021. You then go draft Chase, Waddle or Smith and pair him with Theilen, JJ, Cook and Irv Smith. That's a top 5 offense in the NFL
Use your cap savings sign either a stud DT or end to then pair with a healthy Hunter, you get Pierce back from his opt-out year and you get 3 solid DL players (versus none in 2020). LB's just need to get healthier and hopefully cheaper with Barr (although if you want to keep Eric Wilson, it may cost). DB's have another year to get better and a full off season. Sign a cheaper safety and a decent nickel and the defense can be average versus near the bottom
Average to decent defense with a top 5 offense probably gets you to a wildcard spot unless you get hit with some tough injuries
Would love to see Eric Bieniemy (favorite for the Texans job) or Joe Brady get named the HC and have Zimmer taken out to pasture, but that isn't gonna happen