Every player would love to spend their whole career with the team that drafted them. They want to be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor or Hall of Fame, have their number retired, etc. But, when you factor in a salary cap and ever-changing free agent markets, it’s incredibly rare for players to stay with their original team for the duration of their career. Sometimes, the best thing for both players and teams is a change of scenery.
Somehow, the preseason is right around the corner. Chargers–Lions is already less than a week away. As we approach the end of training camps, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder put together a list of the six players who are most in need of a change of scenery.
“The selection criteria is younger guys who have potential and are projected to be buried on the depth chart heading into the regular season, with one exception for an older veteran who is also looking at having little to no playing time this fall,” Holder wrote.
As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, Falcons QB Kirk Cousins is the older veteran on Holder’s list. Let’s dive into Cousins’ current situation and what potential change of scenery trades could look like.
Cousins a Prime Candidate for Change of Scenery
Last offseason, the Falcons invested as heavily at the quarterback position as we’d seen in a while. That is, until the Browns decided to select two quarterbacks in the span of 50 picks during this April’s draft.
They signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal in March 2024. Then, they drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall just over six weeks later. Even with Cousins turning 36 right before the season, the Falcons decided to bring him in as a bridge quarterback. Unfortunately, that didn’t pan out as well as either side hoped.
Each of the other five players on Holder’s list are at least a decade younger than Cousins. Traditionally, younger players are more likely to benefit from a change of scenery than their older counterparts. However, as a quarterback with 13 years of experience, there could be more of a market for Cousins.
But, after back-to-back down seasons, it’s likely Cousins’ next destination could be his last. He threw for 18 touchdowns and five interceptions before a torn Achilles cost him the second-half of the 2023 season. But, his performance fell off a cliff in 2024, as he threw a career-high 16 interceptions in 14 games.
Holder acknowledged that a major injury in your mid-30s is “a tough combination to overcome.” But, he believes that Cousins “deserves at least one more chance to prove he’s still capable of being a starting quarterback in this league.”
Unfortunately for Cousins, he may have to wait for another team’s quarterback to go down in order to secure a change of scenery. Thankfully for him, he’d be leaving with $100 million from the Falcons for 14 games of work. That’s the kind of payday that secures your spot in the “Bag Hall of Fame.”
Potential Trade Destinations for Cousins Include the Browns, Vikings, Colts and Saints
The veteran quarterback market centered around Aaron Rodgers‘ preferred destinations this offseason, especially considering his impending farewell tour. But, Kirk Cousins could still play a major role for a quarterback-needy team.
The Falcons have reiterated that they would like to keep Cousins as their backup. But, if they can find a way to bring in a promising young player or solid draft capital in return, it would be wise to move on from the 36-year-old.
As I detailed earlier this month, the Browns, Vikings, Colts and Saints could all be in the market for Cousins. Their quarterback situations vary wildly, with some looking for veteran depth and others desperate for a solution. But, all of them look like they’d benefit from Cousins’ presence.
For a brief moment on Thursday, it looked like the Jets may be in need of a quarterback after Justin Fields went down with a dislocated toe. Fortunately for New York, Fields returned to training camp yesterday, quickly shutting down any likelihood of a trade involving Kirk Cousins.
But, the Falcons will still have the chance to provide Cousins with a change of scenery during the season. The rumors will continue swirling for the rest of the offseason and into the regular season, barring any action.
Atlanta may not be in much of a hurry to deal Cousins, as they will have until the trade deadline on November 4th to make it happen. But, I wouldn’t rule out a trade.
If Michael Penix Jr. is ready to take a step forward as a solid starting quarterback, the Falcons would be wise to move on from Cousins. Plus, if Cousins wants a chance to start, it looks like he’ll need a change of scenery.
Falcons $180 Million Man Still Looking for ‘Change of Scenery’ Trade