Kirk Cousins' time in Atlanta appears to be coming to an abrupt end just nine months after signing with the Falcons in free agency. The team, which began with a dream of a Super Bowl ring, decided to start rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. in an attempt to evaluate their future and turn the page.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in March, which many thought would preclude a trade. However, a look at the contract details shows that Cousins could not only be easily traded, but could become one of the most coveted quarterbacks on the market. Seriously.
Entering 2025 without a plan in place at quarterback is a scary situation. The upcoming draft class will be led by Colorado's Shedule Sanders and Miami's Cam Ward, but after that it's a wasteland. Free agency isn't much better, with players like Sam Darnold and Russell Wilson available, but both would require big money and long-term contracts.
Assuming the Raiders and Giants both draft quarterbacks in 2025 (as JP Acosta's latest mock does), we're still pretty sure brownsViking, steelersand potentially the Jets and Titans are looking for a passer. Desperation can sometimes lead to curious companions, and this may be the place for Cousins.
Why was Kirk Cousins so easy to trade?
It's not about the length or size of the deal, it's entirely about the Falcons structuring the deal with relatively little guaranteed money based on other recent QB deals. Cousins' contract includes $40 million guaranteed, with only $27.5 million left on his contract in 2025.
So in a market where players like Darnold and Wilson are earning $40-50 million a year and the salary cap could increase, some restructuring would make Cousins a relative “value pick.” That is quite possible.
This also means that if Cousins wants to continue playing (and continuing to start), he may have to make less money to be able to compete, and already has career earnings of $280 million. , it is likely that they will be prepared to reduce their income in 2025. “Prove it” deals.
3 teams most likely to trade Kirk Cousins
While there may be a wide range of interests, here are the three teams that actually make the most sense.
cleveland browns
The Deshaun Watson deal will go down in NFL history as the worst quarterback trade of all time, and potentially the worst trade in football history. Watson played badly, had a poor understanding of the game, and was unable to perform at a level that matched Cleveland's incredible defense, which cost the Browns any playoff hopes they had in 2024. I actively broke it down.
Cousins makes a lot of sense as someone who can stabilize the franchise, and no one needs it more than the Browns. Kevin Stefanski is a good coach, but he almost fell victim to Watson's incompetence — so while the franchise is trying to find a new QB in future better draft classes, players like Cousins is the perfect short term option.
Teams have weapons on both sides of the ball. You just need the right steering. Your cousin could be that guy.
A return to the Twin Cities isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. The Vikings have an incredible run with Sam Darnold, but it's unclear whether they want to make significant contributions with him on a new contract, and whether JJ McCarthy has what it takes to be an NFL starter is unclear. It may take another year to confirm.
This opens the door for Minnesota and its goal of a “competitive rebuild,” where they want to rebuild their team while winning games. This organization knows exactly who Cousins is and what he can bring. More importantly, they know he can win within their system.
For Cousins, this would be a solid landing spot for him in 2025 if he can play a year, re-establish himself, and recover to Pro Bowl level, but with a player like Justin, that shouldn't be that difficult. Deaf Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
Please talk about QB. everytime We need to add the Jets to the mix. We've been predicting that Aaron Rodgers would retire from football and start his own podcast, but right now it feels like an even bet.
They still want to win, and while they didn't have a QB in the draft, it could open the door for a different kind of veteran with Cousins at the helm. A lot will depend on who the Jets choose as general manager and head coach, but something even wilder happened.
This is another franchise that doesn't need drama. If there's one thing Cousins is good at, it's not creating drama.
What are the odds that Cousins will be traded?
It all depends on how Michael Penix Jr. does in the coming weeks, but even if he struggles, it feels like the end of Cousins' era in Atlanta. It's unlikely that he would be content with a bench role as a veteran mentor if he still believes he can be a top-level QB, and to be fair, he has done so at times this season.
I feel like there's about a 70 percent chance that Cousins will be dealt before next season. A cap-friendly contract and low-risk commitment could allow the Falcons to turn the page and create a true rebuild, but many teams desperately trying to preserve their chances would be open to the idea of him starting. Dew.
Cousins isn't perfect, but the team could do much worse, and the biggest risk right now is overpaying the wrong player rather than underperforming with the wrong player.
