After the news broke on Tuesday about Kirk Cousins feeling misled by the Falcons, the trade rumors have come back with a vengeance. I wrote about the ”Shanahan Shakeup” yesterday, which would send Cousins to San Francisco.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski put together four more proposals today, including three teams looking for an answer at QB and one possible reunion. Atlanta has reiterated that they are happy to keep Cousins around.
But, Sobleski notes that other teams around the league “can see this as a bluff in hopes of some suitor upping the potential return for the veteran signal-caller.” Cousins may also want another shot to start, considering that played a big role in his decision to play through several injuries last season.
Kirk Cousins Could Join a Crowded Browns QB Room
Even with their heavy investment at quarterback this offseason, the Browns don’t seem to “have a legitimate plan,” writes Sobleski. Trading for Kenny Pickett on March 10 didn’t move the needle, considering he didn’t show much playing behind Jalen Hurts.
Just a few weeks later, they decided to draft both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. As of now, their best option seems to be 40-year-old Joe Flacco.
As for Flacco and Pickett, the Browns may be best-suited to cut ties with both of them. If they were to do so, they could bring in Kirk Cousins to mentor their two young quarterbacks. Even though the Falcons experiment failed, Cleveland may believe that he’ll be a more effective bridge QB in 2025.
“A healthy Cousins returning to Kevin Stefanski’s system, where he experienced his best seasons, can settle a lot for the Browns and actually make them competitive, considering the state of the roster with veterans such as Myles Garrett, Joel Bitonio, Wyatt Teller, David Njoku, etc.,” writes Sobleski.
Would the Vikings Embrace a Reunion with Cousins?
Kirk Cousins is no stranger to Minnesota or head coach Kevin O’Connell. Cousins and O’Connell first connected back in Washington. Then, they reconnected in Minnesota in 2022, leading to arguably Cousins’ best season. The Vikings went 13-4, including 8 fourth quarter comebacks and 8 game-winning drives.
Even though the Vikings have their quarterback of the future in place with J.J. McCarthy, “Cousins can return and serve as an insurance policy,” writes Sobleski. After a torn MCL during last preseason, it’s possible that McCarthy may not be ready to start.
“And Sam Howell isn’t the same caliber of Sam Darnold when it comes to further QB options on the roster,” writes Sobleski.
Cousins was clear about his desire to start, so he may not have left if he understood the Falcons’ plans. “He probably would have stayed where his family had established roots,” writes Sobleski. A reunion could bring Kirk Cousins and his family back to Minnesota for the final stretch of his career.
“If the Falcons want to shed a portion of Cousins’ salary and get a little something in return, a reunion in Minnesota makes a lot of sense for a team that finished 14-3 a year ago and isn’t looking to take a step back, even with a young quarterback as the plan moving forward,” writes Sobleski.
‘Clock Is Ticking’ for Anthony Richardson with the Colts
While the Colts haven’t fully given up on Anthony Richardson yet, they’re about as close as they could be. With Daniel Jones as their backup, the Colts should seriously consider bringing in Kirk Cousins.
“As the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, Richardson probably had a rather lengthy leash entering this offseason, but it’s shortening with each passing month,” writes Sobleski.
While Indianapolis signed Daniel Jones in March, Anthony Richardson may be dealing with more inflammation and soreness in his shoulder. He may have lost the trust of the coaching staff, especially when he took himself out in Week 8.
The jobs of head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are potentially hanging in the balance. So, any setback for Richardson may lead them to reassess the quarterback situation. Even though they’re in the bottom-half of the league in cap space, Kirk Cousins could be an upgrade over Jones.
“Would they rather have Jones or Cousins trying to save their jobs?,” Sobleski asks. “The answer seems obvious, even if Indianapolis needs to take on a chunk of the latter’s contract and likely surrender a future asset in return.”
Falcons Unlikely to Trade Kirk Cousins within the Division, but Saints May Be Desperate Enough to Pay Big Price
Following Derek Carr’s surprising retirement this offseason, the Saints‘ quarterback room is the most unproven in the league. Rookie Tyler Shough has shown that he may have the skillset required to be a starter in the NFL. “But the risk of relying on him is too immense,” writes Sobleski.
Kirk Cousins was not as mobile or accurate during the second-half of last season. But, I have a hard time believing he wouldn’t win the quarterback competition in New Orleans. His other competition would be Spencer Rattler, who “didn’t do enough for the organization to pass on a QB prospect it liked early in this year’s draft,” writes Sobleski.
“The Falcons shouldn’t fear moving Cousins to a rival outfit, not when the organization benched him last year—no matter the circumstances—and believes Penix is the right person to lead the squad,” writes Sobleski. “Instead, Atlanta must look at all of the potential opportunities to rid itself of some payroll and possibly add a draft asset or two.”
Kirk Cousins Trade Talks Heating up as Training Camp Approaches