Much of the talk around the quarterback market has centered on Aaron Rodgers and the top draft prospects, but Kirk Cousins is another name to watch for quarterback-needy teams.
Because Cousins is still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons, his situation may take time to sort out.
What Does 2025 Look Like for Kirk Cousins?
“With his $10 million guarantee for 2025 vested, Kirk Cousins is now looking at potentially slow-playing his next move,” NFL insider Albert Breer wrote for Sports Illustrated. “If, say, Rodgers picks the Steelers this week, I’d expect that the Giants and Cleveland Browns would have at least some interest in making a move for the Atlanta Falcons’ very pricey backup. Ditto for the Steelers if they strike out.”
With Michael Penix Jr. taking over as the starter for Atlanta at the end of the 2024 season, Cousins now finds himself as the backup. While still earning a high salary, Cousins turns 37 in August and could still be a viable starter elsewhere.
Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a league-leading 16 interceptions in 14 games for the Falcons last season. He ranked No. 24 in PFSN’s QB+ rankings, finishing with a score of 71.2 (C-).
Despite the tough year, Cousins was returning from a torn Achilles. Now entering his 14th NFL season and two full years removed from the injury, there’s hope his performance could rebound. A four-time Pro Bowler, Cousins still brings plenty of experience and leadership.
But a potential trade isn’t so straightforward. His contract includes a no-trade clause, giving him control over his destination.
“Why would Cousins block a trade to a place where he can start? My understanding is it would be chiefly to avoid the situation he found himself in last April, when he was blindsided by Atlanta’s decision to take Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick,” Breer added. “And that could be where the draft position of the aforementioned teams comes into play.”
Breer continued, “Cousins has already signaled to teams that he would likely want to wait to see what happens over draft weekend before accepting a trade. In a way, that should also work for the teams, allowing them to go through a full draft process—and make decisions on guys such as Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders and Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart independent of Cousins’s destination.”
With Cousins reportedly willing to wait things out, the futures of Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and the top rookie quarterbacks will likely be resolved first. That would give Cousins more clarity on where he could land, with a better understanding of a team’s long-term quarterback plans.
What Atlanta could get in return for Cousins remains to be seen. But his value may rise after the draft if a team fails to land a quarterback and has already missed out on Rodgers or Wilson.
Only time will tell where Cousins ends up, but his status will be one of the offseason’s key storylines as teams scramble to solidify their quarterback rooms.