Kirk Cousins

Browns Viewed Joe Flacco Similarly To Kirk Cousins

April 15th, 2025 at 10:23am CST by Adam La Rose

The Browns appeared to be on track to enter the draft with Kenny Pickett as their starting quarterback until a Joe Flacco reunion was worked out. Adding the latter to the fold has greatly lessened the chances of a Kirk Cousins trade taking place with respect to Cleveland.

With the Falcons open to dealing Cousins under the right circumstances, the Browns have long been considered a logical landing spot. Head coach Kevin Stefanski worked with him in Minnesota, and that familiarity could help provide the team with a short-term upgrade under center. In the event of a release, Cousins would have been available at a highly reduced rate (like Russell Wilson with the Steelers last year), but it is clear a post-draft trade is a likelier outcome.

On that point, the Falcons have set a high asking price in terms of how much of Cousins’ money they want an acquiring team to take on. The four-time Pro Bowler is owed a $27.5MM base salary for next season, and a $10MM roster bonus for 2026 has already become fully guaranteed. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer confirms Atlanta is not willing to spend much in the way of absorbing compensation on Cousins’ deal to facilitate a trade.

That reality helps explain Cleveland’s Flacco re-acquisition. Breer adds the Browns viewed the 40-year-old in a similar fashion to Cousins, who is four years younger. The latter enjoyed a relatively strong start to his Falcons career last season, but a turnover-filled run (which included battling ailments other than his 2023 Achilles tear) led to Michael Penix Jr. taking over QB1 duties. The eighth pick in last year’s draft is now set to handle the starting gig moving forward, but the Falcons have repeatedly expressed a willingness to keep Cousins in place as an expensive backup.

The Browns gave Flacco $4MM in base compensation, with incentives maxing out at $13MM. More realistically, the former Super Bowl MVP’s earning potential sits between $6MM and $8MM based on his playing time and Cleveland’s regular season success. As Breer notes, those figures illustrate the lengths to which Cleveland would have been willing to go for Cousins. Especially if the Browns add a rookie passer next week, a deal for Cousins (who aims to waive his no-trade clause after the draft) will surely be off the table.

In that case, the number of Cousins suitors would dwindle even further. Breer names the Steelers as a potential landing spot given their need for a starting-caliber veteran. The Aaron Rodgers wait continues, but if he were to retire or sign elsewhere Cousins would loom as a feasible trade candidate. It remains to be seen, though, how willing the Falcons will be to entertain offers on that front.

Latest On Falcons, Kirk Cousins; QB Still Prefers To Be Released

April 3rd, 2025 at 7:40pm CST by Adam La Rose

Kirk Cousins is known to be on the trade block, with the Falcons confirming this week their willingness to work out a deal under the right circumstances. Of course, finances will play a major role in determining if an acceptable agreement can be reached.

Cousins has already seen his $10MM roster bonus vest for the 2026 season, but at issue in ongoing trade discussions is his scheduled $27.5MM base salary for next year. An acquiring team would take on a portion of that compensation as the Falcons aim to move forward with Michael Penix Jr. atop the depth chart. Atlanta has set the bar rather high with respect to the financial responsibility of Cousins’ next team, though.

Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post reports the Falcons are “insisting” on the acquiring team in a Cousins swap taking on between $20MM and $25MM of what he is owed for 2025. To little surprise, he adds that demand has stalled talks on a deal to date. Owner Arthur Blank is seen as the driving force behind the team’s stance on this front, and with the draft approaching and the list of teams in need of a veteran QB addition thinned out it will be interesting to see if it changes in the near future.

Cousins appeared to be set up for at least a two-year stint as Atlanta’s starter when he signed in free agency last spring. The Falcons’ decision to the draft Penix eighth overall immediately led to speculation about a parting of ways for Cousins, and that has emerged as a possibility this offseason. The 36-year-old has let the team know his desire to be released, but even doing so with a post-June 1 designation would result in a $50MM dead cap charge. A trade thus represents a more suitable path, but Cousins does not want to waive his no-trade clause until after the draft to avoid a repeat of last year’s situation.

A third-round pick has been mentioned as compensation in a potential Cousins trade, but teams will of course not be willing to part with notable capital in addition to taking on the majority of his base pay for next year. The possibility remains that the four-time Pro Bowler will stay in place and operate as a highly expensive backup behind Penix. Head coach Raheem Morris confirmed at the league meetings (via NFL.com) Atlanta remains on board with such a scenario in the event a trade cannot be worked out.

Of the few realistic suitors for the four-time Pro Bowler, the Browns have often been mentioned as the top one to watch. Kenny Pickett was acquired via trade last month, and at the moment he is in position to lead a QB depth chart which features an injured Deshaun Watson. Cleveland aims to move forward from the ill-fated Watson acquisition, something which could include a draft investment as early as the No. 2 pick in this year’s draft or a short-term move such as reuniting Cousins with former Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski.

As noted by D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan, the Browns are not in a position to trade for Cousins and take on some (perhaps most) of his remaining contract. In the unlikely event a release were to take place (something Ledbetter confirms is still his preference), Cleveland would presumably show interest in a low-cost deal given the offset language in Cousins’ contract. Considering Atlanta’s apparent asking price in a swap, though, it would come as a surprise if serious traction toward an agreement with the Browns or any other suitor were to be gained in the near future.

Raheem Morris: Falcons Open To Trading Kirk Cousins

April 2nd, 2025 at 8:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

TODAY, 8:30pm: Owner Arthur Blank echoed Morris’s statements, telling Josh Kendall of The Athletic that the Falcons will listen to offers on Cousins on their terms.

“At the end of the day, what happens happens, maybe something pre-draft, draft, post-draft, I don’t know,” Blank said, “but [Cousins] understands what our needs are and what we have to do as a franchise.”

YESTERDAY, 9am: Much of the discussion related to the Falcons’ offseason revolves around Kirk Cousins‘ future. The team has repeatedly stated a willingness to keep the Pro Bowl quarterback in place as a backup, but head coach Raheem Morris left the door open to a parting of ways on Monday.

Cousins has made it clear he wants a change of scenery after one year in Atlanta. The 36-year-old old inked a four-year deal to join the Falcons last offseason, but he was benched late in the year in favor of first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. The latter is set to handle starting duties moving forward, but Atlanta’s decision to keep Cousins in the fold past the vesting date of his $10MM 2026 roster bonus helped confirm he will not be released.

That leaves a trade as a possibility, although Cousins will not waive his no-trade clause until after the draft takes place later this month. Doing so will help him avoid a repeat of last year’s situation (where he was caught off guard by the decision to draft Penix), but it could limit the number of suitors in play to acquire him. When speaking about the Cousins situation on Tuesday, Morris noted the team would be on board with dealing him under the right circumstances.

“There’s definitely a human side when you want to see him go out and be the best version of himself,” Morris said (via Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams). “This is not a thing where we’re holding you back if the opportunity presents itself. If it’s something that’s good for both of us — it’s good for the Falcons and Kirk Cousins — we certainly would like to see that happen.”

Finances will be a challenge to work out between Atlanta and an acquiring team. Cousins is owed $27.5MM next season, and offset language in his pact means the Falcons could pass on at least some of that figure (along with the $10MM locked in for next season) to his new team. Especially after the draft has taken place, though, most NFL teams will have their 2025 starter in the fold. That will limit the Falcons’ opportunities to swing a deal. If retaining funds winds up being required to pull of a trade, Josh Kendall of The Athletic predicts the team will be willing to do so (subscription required).

The Browns have frequently been named as a team to watch on the Cousins front, given the presence of a familiar face in head coach Kevin Stefanski. A recent report noted a strong push to acquire the former Viking should not be expected at this time, however. As Kendall’s colleague Dianna Russini notes, though, a Cousins-to-Cleveland move would not come as a surprise given the ongoing discourse around the subject (video link). Barring another veteran acquisition under center, the Browns will remain a potential suitor worth monitoring.

To no surprise, Morris added in his remarks that he does not expect Cousins to attend voluntary OTAs. That has been expected on the team’s part, Underdog Fantasy’s James Palmer confirms. A holdout later in the offseason when mandatory minicamp and/or training camp take place would of course be more notable, provided Cousins is still on the Falcons’ roster in the summer. If an appropriate arrangement can be made regarding a trade, though, that may not be the case.

Browns Were Not Interested In Long-Term Russell Wilson Commitment; Latest On Team’s QB Plans

March 30th, 2025 at 10:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

Russell Wilson‘s 2025 free agent process ended with a Giants deal. The Super Bowl winner sees himself as the team’s starter, and he could very well wind up atop the depth chart if New York does not use a high draft pick on a passer in April.

Wilson also visited the Browns earlier this month, opening the door to a Cleveland agreement. That did not seem as likely as a Giants pact, though, so Wilson’s ultimate decision came as little surprise. A one-year commitment to the 36-year-old could very well produce a run of starts and another deal being worked out next offseason in New York’s case.

While the Browns also themselves in need of a long-term solution under center, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com writes they viewed Wilson strictly as a bridge option. As a result, negotiations on a contract did not last particularly long, with the longtime Seahawk preferring an option where he would not face as much competition for a starting gig. New York had already added Jameis Winston on a two-year pact, and the team could draft a quarterback at some point next month; nevertheless, Wilson is currently on track to handle QB1 duties at this point.

Cleveland has Deshaun Watson on the books for two more years, but his second Achilles tear leaves him in danger of missing most or all of the 2025 campaign. That leaves trade acquisition Kenny Pickett in place to compete for the starting role this offseason. The top QB selected in the 2022 draft, Pickett’s Steelers tenure did not go as planned and it ended with a trade to the Eagles last spring. The 26-year-old is now in place with the Browns, a team which could be in the market for at least one other passer.

Cleveland has long been connected to trading for Kirk Cousins, but Cabot adds a deal on that front can be considered unlikely at this point. The Falcons passer wants to avoid a repeat of last year’s situation by waiting until after the draft to be dealt, although it remains to be seen if Atlanta will be on board with such a move and if financial arrangements related to the remainder of his contract can be made with an acquiring team. Free agents like Joe Flacco and Carson Wentz have been linked to the Browns, but again Cabot cautions nothing is currently imminent on that front.

Set to select second overall in April’s draft, Cleveland will likely have the opportunity to select any prospect other than Cam Ward. The team was recently reported to be high on Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter, but other options will be considered as well. The Browns have hosted Tyler Shough on a top-30 visit, and he is among the quarterbacks who could find themselves in Cleveland next season. For now, at least, Pickett is in position to receive the chance to handle QB1 duties, something he sees himself as capable of managing on his new team.

Kirk Cousins Seeking Post-Draft Trade

March 29th, 2025 at 4:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

MARCH 29: Had Cousins been released, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports notes he still would not have signed with a suitor such as the Browns prior to the draft (video link). Cleveland will continue to be linked to a deal later this offseason, but that could very well change if the team adds a signal-caller early in April. Such a scenario would further limit the number of feasible Cousins suitors.

MARCH 24: After a failed attempt to be released ahead of free agency, Kirk Cousins is now in no rush to force a move out of Atlanta. He is planning to wait until after the draft before waiving his no-trade clause to facilitate a deal, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

The Falcons held onto Cousins long enough for $10MM of his 2026 salary to vest into a full guarantee and have signaled their willingness to keep him as an expensive backup this season. He would prefer to find a starting job elsewhere, though he’s wary of a repeat of last year’s situation in Atlanta. The Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $160MM deal in March and drafted Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick six weeks later. That put pressure on the 13-year veteran to live up to his contract while making it clear that he was not the team’s long-term quarterback.

When Cousins hit a patch of rough play in December, the Falcons benched him for Penix, effectively ending the 36-year-old’s tenure in Atlanta after 14 games. In 2025, he doesn’t want a highly drafted rookie breathing down his neck. That would be a risk with his two most likely suitors, the Browns and the Giants, who hold the second and third overall picks in April’s draft. After years of instability under center, both teams have been repeatedly linked with the draft’s top two quarterbacks, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.

Cousins’ willingness to wait on a trade should work for his potential suitors. The Browns and the Giants can do their due diligence on Ward, Sanders, and even Jaxson Dart and let the draft play out. The Steelers are considered a “safe bet” to land Aaron Rodgers, but if that doesn’t work out, they could inquire about Cousins, according to Breer. However, Pittsburgh may want to see if a top quarterback falls within range of a trade up from the 21st overall pick.

Cousins would only waive his no-trade clause prior to the draft if his new team commits to not using a first-round pick on quarterback, according to Breer. That condition may not be amenable to front offices in Cleveland and New York that are looking for a long-term franchise quarterback.

It’s possible that the Browns look at a talented roster besieged by injuries last year and decide that trading for Cousins and using the No. 3 pick on an impact receiver or edge rusher is enough to compete in the AFC North. That doesn’t seem likely for the Giants, who have more holes to fill on their roster. They have also signaled a desire to add another veteran and draft a quarterback in the first round, even after signing Jameis Winston.

Cousins’ approach does involve some risk. If the Browns, Giants, and Steelers all solidify their quarterback situations by the end of the draft, he may be left without any suitors headed into the summer. That would leave him stuck in Atlanta as Penix’s backup with a $27.5MM salary that could be a barrier to a trade.

The Falcons would already be absorbing $37.5MM in dead cap space ($12.5MM in 2025 and $25MM in 2026) if they moved Cousins. Eating some or all of his 2025 salary would push their costs to $90MM for just one year and 14 starts from Cousins, a position Falcons owner Arthur Blank would prefer to avoid, according to Breer.

That will, of course, impact how much draft compensation teams will give up to acquire Cousins. A trade out of Atlanta to a team with a starting job available remains his desired outcome, but it seems other dominoes will have to fall first.

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins Drawing Trade Interest?

March 21st, 2025 at 10:38am CST by Adam La Rose

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.

Mutual Interest Between Browns, Carson Wentz; Joe Flacco Still On Radar

March 19th, 2025 at 10:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Passing on Carson Wentz nine years ago eventually led the Browns to Baker Mayfield. With Mayfield long gone and the player brought in to replace him — Deshaun Watson — on an albatross contract and potentially out for the season, the Browns are still shopping for a veteran.

Kenny Pickett is on Cleveland’s roster, but the team almost definitely needs another option to sell to its fanbase as a Week 1 starter. Although squarely on the radar to draft a passer at No. 2 overall, the Browns hosted Russell Wilson. Giving Wilson another chance to start remains on the Browns’ radar, as they are part of this Aaron Rodgers domino arrangement. The Browns, however, do not appear to be interested in Rodgers.

The second domino to fall once Rodgers makes his decision — potentially between retirement, the Steelers or the Giants, should the Vikings indeed pass — Wilson appears the Browns’ preference. But the Giants and Steelers are also hovering for the former Pro Bowler. If Wilson passes on the Browns, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports Carson Wentz would become a realistic option. Mutual interest “definitely” exists between the former No. 2 overall pick and the Browns.

Wentz, 32, is obviously far removed from the prospect he was coming out of North Dakota State and has slipped well off the pace from his outlier 2017 season — one that likely would have secured him an MVP had he stayed healthy. The 2024 Chiefs backup was last seen taking the snaps in a 38-0 Kansas City loss to a Denver team playing starters most of the way. But Wentz has plenty of starter experience. He could be a bridge option for the Browns, though this setup would seemingly ramp up the pressure for Cleveland to select a quarterback early in the draft.

As of Sunday, the Browns had not necessarily submitted Wilson an offer, Cabot adds (subscription required). It still appears fairly clear Wilson would be Cleveland’s choice over Wentz, who has not been viewed as a starter since the Commanders benched him late in the 2022 season. Wentz made Week 18 starts with the Rams and Chiefs over the past two years, but he has 94 under his belt as a pro. Certainly not a particularly exciting option at this stage of his career, Wentz looms as an option to join Pickett if Wilson opts for New York or Pittsburgh.

Wentz may not be the next choice for the Browns, however, with Cabot indicating during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan’s Baskin & Phelps (audio link) that a Joe Flacco return remains an option. We heard over the weekend Flacco was back in play with the Browns, who did not submit him an offer to stay — as they made a last-ditch attempt to salvage the Watson sunk cost — last year. Even at 40, Flacco is still drawing interest and appears likely to land a chair as teams scramble for stopgaps.

A plan in which Pickett is the only veteran starter option for the Browns does not appear in play, Cabot adds, though she cautious that money is an object. The Browns have $10MM-plus in cap space, but they obviously still would need to carve out almost that much for their draft class. Kirk Cousins had loomed as an option, but the Falcons are holding onto him as a trade asset.

Cousins, who played for Kevin Stefanski in Minnesota, saw $10MM of his 2026 salary become guaranteed Sunday. But that is subject to offset, meaning the Falcons will hope to bill another team in the event of a trade. The Browns are not in a good position to be taking on that kind of money, as Watson’s guarantees run through 2026. An unfathomable dead money number, thanks to a fourth Watson restructure, would come into play if the Browns cut the wildly disappointing QB next year.

The Giants or Steelers could potentially price Wilson out of Cleveland, especially if a bidding war commences should Rodgers retire. Flacco and Wentz would come cheaper. Ditto Jameis Winston, though Cabot views a Winston return as unlikely. Benched as the Browns careened toward the No. 2 overall pick, Winston left his Giants visit without a deal.

Falcons Won’t Cut Kirk Cousins Ahead Of Bonus Trigger

March 15th, 2025 at 10:12pm CST by Ben Levine

10:12pm: Cousins’ desire to play elsewhere in 2025 remains unchanged, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated confirms. As a result, this situation could very well remain in a stalemate for the foreseeable future as the rest of the quarterback market takes shape around the league.

12:51pm: Today was a key date in the Kirk Cousins saga, as a guaranteed bonus on the QB’s contract was set to kick in. The Falcons won’t be avoiding the extra financial commitment, as they’ll hang on to Cousins past the 4pm deadline today, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Specifically, keeping Cousins on the roster through today will trigger a guarantee on a $10MM roster bonus that is due in 2026. After collecting $62.5MM of his total contract in 2024, Cousins is due another $27.5MM in 2025. Combined with this guaranteed 2026 roster bonus, Atlanta’s total commitment to the quarterback is now at $100MM.

The Falcons have made it clear that they intend to roll with Michael Penix Jr. in 2025. Still, the organization hasn’t shown any urgency to bail on their previous blockbuster addition. Cousins will continue to be the subject of trade rumors, and today’s decision buys the Falcons as much time as they want to find a resolution.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the $10MM in guaranteed money for 2026 is subject to offset language. That means the Falcons could simply find a suitor who’s willing to pick up this portion of the bill. In other words, this temporary commitment could ultimately cost Atlanta no money if they find a willing trade partner.

Cousins was reportedly pushing for his release, and the veteran possesses some leverage with his no-trade clause. Still, GM Terry Fontenot has made it clear that he’s willing to proceed with Cousins on the roster, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the front office “has shown no motivation to move him.” This is surely some gamesmanship from the organization, as it’s hard to envision the Falcons rostering such a high-priced backup. Still, the team is clearly operating without any sense of urgency, whereas Cousins would surely like a resolution as soon as possible.

Cousins inked a four-year, $180MM deal with the Falcons last offseason, with $90MM guaranteed at signing. The organization shocked many when they used a first-round pick on Penix, but their bold decision proved to be worthwhile when Cousins showed signs of rust. In his return from a torn Achilles, Cousins guided his new squad to a 7-7 record while tossing 18 touchdowns vs. a league-leading 16 interceptions.

Kirk Cousins Pushing For Falcons Release

March 7th, 2025 at 10:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

Contrary to what most expected coming out of the 2024 season, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot has held the line on keeping Kirk Cousins as a backup. This would mean taking on another $10MM (via a roster bonus due in less than two weeks) on a player due a fully guaranteed $27.5MM base salary.

Michael Penix Jr. has established himself as the clear-cut starter in Atlanta going into the offseason, after the team had prepared for Cousins to start two years before a baton pass. Considering how quickly teams throw first-round picks into the fire, that long-term plan never appeared realistic. And Cousins’ poor play down the stretch prompted Raheem Morris to pull the plug early. Rumors about a Cousins release emerged soon after, but he remains a Falcon days before free agency.

Cousins appears to be pushing the Falcons to cut him. The 36-year-old QB sought a meeting with Arthur Blank and received it, per SI.com’s Albert Breer, who reports the benched passer is seeking a 2025 destination in which he could end up a starter. Blank did not give Cousins any assurances, as Breer adds the owner will attempt to “do what’s best for the team at QB.” The meeting occurred Wednesday night.

Holding a no-trade clause, Cousins does not appear a realistic trade candidate. The roster bonus and $27.5MM base salary would probably be a non-starter, considering how Cousins deteriorated down the stretch. Yet, some teams did leave the Combine believing the Falcons would actually hang onto the high-priced passer, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds. Cousins suitors are still being told he will not be released, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini tweets. Teams have only contacted the Falcons about a potential release, with Russini adding no trade talks are ongoing.

Fontenot has said on multiple occasions this offseason he indeed views Cousins as the team’s 2025 backup. Understandably, Cousins is not onboard with that arrangement.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180MM deal to start for the Falcons; $90MM came guaranteed at signing. Another $10MM, which is due soon, was viewed as a practical guarantee since it was assumed the Falcons would not cut Cousins after one season. Some around the league did wonder if Cousins would be traded, with the 49ers (as a Brock Purdy contingency plan) coming up. But Cousins’ benching — after a rough stretch of games that helped sink the Falcons — certainly tanked his trade value. During his final five starts, Cousins sported a 1-9 TD-INT ratio.

While Cousins’ value has cratered, many teams need 2025 starting QBs ahead of a draft not replete with options. The Browns and Jets have been connected early; Cousins has played for Kevin Stefanski before and negotiated with the Jets as a free agent in 2018. Cousins is running out of chances, after the Falcons partnership went south so quickly, but if released he might fit in as a Russell Wilson-like option on a minimum salary. Offset language appears in Cousins’ Falcons deal, so his next contract would subtract from the dead money that would appear on the Falcons’ cap sheet.

If Cousins does secure a release, he would join a market featuring younger starter options (Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Daniel Jones) and veterans (Wilson, Aaron Rodgers). Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders may need bridge players, however, and this lot of QBs would be jockeying for spots, as no other surefire starting QBs have made themselves known in this draft pool just yet. Cousins can pitch to teams that he will be nearly two years past his October 2023 Achilles tear, as that may do plenty of work since selling his 2024 season would not be a good starting point.

Jets Eyeing Modest Free Agent QB Addition?

March 3rd, 2025 at 9:52am CST by Adam La Rose

Aaron Rodgers is no longer in the Jets’ plans, and the timing of his release will likely come at the start of the new league year. By the time the first wave of free agency is underway, more clarity will no doubt be in place regarding the team’s intentions under center.

As expected, the team’s new decision-makers (GM Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn) informed Rodgers they will move in a different direction for 2025. That leaves the door open to another veteran being signed to compete for the starting gig. A draft investment is of course still on the table, with a trade up to the No. 1 slot being something to watch. More realistically, though, a modest signing on the free agent market looks to be in the team’s plans.

Both SNY’s Connor Hughes and Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic (subscription required) write New York can be expected to pursue a middle-class option amongst the veteran quarterbacks set to be available in 2025. Former Jet Sam Darnold is the top name to watch at the position, but in terms of short-term investment options a number of other passers will be available. Pairing one of those with incumbent Tyrod Taylor would provide the Jets with a relatively stable floor in terms of QB play for next season.

Hughes and Rosenblatt both name Justin Fields and Carson Wentz as names to watch as it pertains to the Jets. The Steelers started Fields for the first six games of the 2024 campaign before benching him in favor of Russell Wilson. In spite of that decision, Pittsburgh is believed to prefer keeping the younger of the two signal-callers moving forward. If a reversal of that stance is to take place, the Jets will be one of the teams prepared to make Fields a strong offer on the open market.

Wentz’s last run as a starter came in 2022 with the Commanders. Since then, he has taken one-year backup deals with the Rams and Chiefs, making just five combined appearances in that span. The 32-year-old may welcome the chance to earn the staring gig on a pact with the Jets, but other destinations in a similar position will likely be available to him as well.

Hughes lists Marcus Mariota (who has been with four different teams in the past four years) as another potential target, while Rosenblatt adds that Kirk Cousins – should he be released by the Falcons – as a name to monitor. The latter could remain in place as Atlanta’s backup for 2025, something which would eliminate a notable option on the QB market. Taylor, meanwhile, has one year remaining on his pact and could boost his 2026 stock if he were to get the nod next season.

Adding a rookie at some point in April’s draft is something which is firmly receiving consideration by the Jets, per both reports. A move up to add Cam Ward would be quite pricey, but using Day 2 or 3 to add a developmental passer (not dissimilar to 2024 fifth-rounder Jordan Travis) would give the team another option for the future. With respect to the 2025 campaign, however, a major splash in free agency would come as a surprise at this point.

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