A shortlist of veteran free agents remain at the quarterback position, but one potential trade option looms for teams still in need of a signal-caller. Kirk Cousins remains in place with the Falcons, although a deal sending him elsewhere remains a talking point around the league.
Atlanta is prepared to move forward with Michael Penix Jr. atop the depth chart after the 2024 first-rounder took over from Cousins as starter late last season. The latter’s Achilles injury healed as planned, but he dealt with other ailments while playing through a downturn in production prior to his benching. A Cousins release has long been predicted based on the Falcons’ plan under center, and the 36-year-old would welcome it. At multiple points this offseason, however, the team has indicated a willingness to keep Cousins in place as an expensive backup. 
Around the Combine, trade talks were not believed to be taking place; with Atlanta clearly not proceeding with a release, though, that appears to be changing. The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson reports Cousins is now being discussed as a potential trade target. She adds the Falcons have received calls about the four-time Pro Bowler, with a third-round pick being floated as part of a potential compensation package. Cousins has a no-trade clause, but his desire to play elsewhere in 2025 has been made clear to ownership.
A $27.5MM base salary for 2025 would be a large figure for an acquiring team to absorb, to say nothing of the $10MM 2026 roster bonus which recently became locked in. Offset language in Cousins’ contract means Atlanta would see some financial relief in the event the team proceeded with a release (with his new team then signing him to a pact at or near the league minimum). The decision to keep the former Washington and Minnesota starter in the fold this long marked another indication he will not be cut, however.
The report does not name interested parties, but it is not difficult to identify which teams could be in the market for acquiring Cousins via trade. The Browns have already swung a trade for Kenny Pickett, but they are known to still be in the market for a veteran quarterback. Ties to Cousins (based on his history with Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski) have been made, although the team is not in position to take on a lucrative veteran deal with Deshaun Watson still on the books for another two years.
The Steelers, Giants, Vikings and Titans, meanwhile, are all on the lookout for a veteran addition under center (to varying degrees). Aaron Rodgers represents the next major domino to fall, with Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston and Carson Wentz the names to watch closely once his future becomes clear. Tennessee has been linked to moving on from Will Levis and potentially replacing him with Cam Ward in next month’s draft. Considering Mason Rudolph departed in free agency, the Titans could use a veteran, although adding Cousins would come as a surprise in their case.
No movement on the Cousins front will be possible unless the team’s stance on retaining him changes and his desire to move on yields a willingness to waive his no-trade clause. With new interest being shown, though, it will be interesting to see if anything tangibly changes in this situation.
Here we go. The Falcons screw themselves by signing him to the contract. Then try to screw over another team by making them take over the contract. I say let him stay in Atlanta.
Kirk screws every team. I’m fine keeping him as a backup and probably end his career as a starter at this age.
“Kirk Cousins Desirable” says Kirk Cousins’ camp
Ffs, this is patently transparent. Suck it up Kirk.
@Fiatluxia. He wants to be traded. Probably only a 7th round pick, but the money probably comes down to the highest bidder. He’s probably the best quarterback available. It’s teams asking thinking he’s going to get released. Probably the giants, or steelers.
If the Steelers insist on signing one of the old guys, Cousins should be the third option.
I mean, the O-line is poor and this guy’s a mannequin
It’s pretty obvious why teams would want a guy who has consistently produced at a high level as a passer for multiple teams.
Look what he did for Drake London last year.
Some teams just need a guy to consistently pass the ball to their receivers after years of mediocre or worse QB play. Atlanta definitely fit that mold post Matty Ice.
The teams said to be interested in him fit that mold as well.
With the recent deadline passing and the Falcons guaranteeing $10 million in 2026, there’s no way they release him now–unless Kirk is disruptive in the locker room. But I don’t see Kirk playing that card. So now the Falcons have to hope a contending team has a Teddy Bridgewater-type injury in camp.
I mean honestly his only downside is crumbling in big moments. Besides that he’s a high end backup to teach your young guys and bring a teams together or he’s your bridge qb who can start for a few years until you find a replacement
Long time pro football fan, since 1965. Cousins has had lots of good moments. That is blatantly unfair to say he crumbles in big moments. No qb is 100% in big moments. He came through in the clutch at times for Washington & Minnesota. It’s always easy to remember the negative about someone you want to put down. Peyton Mannining choked year after year against New England in the playoffs. To be so “great” his Colts only won one Super Bowl.
I have never fully understood why so many people just diss Cousins as a QB.
He is a quality QB, a good teammate that is a positive attitude, has seen just about every defense ever played in the NFL but his knock is that he can’t win the BIG game. I know for a fact that he is twice the QB that Anthony Richardson will ever be and he is the type of guy that can start and get you a win on any Sunday. Does he throw int’s…yes but show me a QB that doesn’t.
I hope he gets a chance to play this season and has a better than average stat line and get whatever team he plays for into the playoffs.
I give him big props for playing the whole contract/ tag game to perfection even with Atlanta signing him then drafting Penix Jr. I don’t think he would have signed with the Falcons had he known they were going to do that but he still got a BIG bag of cash so who is really to blame here…Cousins for getting the contract or the Falcons/ Blank for giving it to him.
Money is why. He got a fully guaranteed contract and did not elevate the team. Yet Brady made less per year typically and took average WRs to Super Bowls. Fine great Kirk got his money. No do something to show you are worth the big money.
Browns & Falcons trade bad contracts (and other financial offsets?)…with Deshaun Watson going home to Georgia and Cousins getting to work with a familiar coach in Cleveland.
Trade him and then what? Penix has 2-3 starts. Didn’t look great, was ok. If Cousins is fully healthy from his Achilles injury, he could be a good gap fill starter for one of these teams. Give me Kurt over Rodgers, Wilson or any of the backup caliber guys left out there.