The Los Angeles Rams could follow a familiar formula at quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, with Kirk Cousins stepping into the role that two-time Super Bowl champion Jimmy Garoppolo has held for the past two seasons.
Cousins has spent the past two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, but received his release as they completed their transition to Michael Penix with ex-Miami Dolphins star Tua Tagovaila.
With the booming stages of free agency in the rearview, the Rams could appeal to Cousins.
Insider Floats Rams as Kirk Cousins Landing Spot
GettyKirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks with the media.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer considered Cousins’ situation “interesting” heading into the second week of free agency, noting that his $10 million guaranteed from Atlanta “will shape negotiations” with other teams, which is where the Rams could emerge.
Breer laid out “three different paths” forward.
The first path is to push for a starting opportunity, with two viable options in the Las Vegas Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Path 2 could lead Cousins to LA.
“The second path would be to join a playoff team as a backup, which would give Cousins the best chance to play well if he did get to come off the bench,” Breer wrote on March 16. “That could be the Rams, if Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t re-sign, given Cousins’s background with Sean McVay.”
Notably, Breer mentioned the Kansas City Chiefs as an option for Cousins. Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes is recovering from a torn ACL and figures to miss at least part of the 2026 campaign while he recovers.
However, the Chiefs acquired Justin Fields in a trade with the New York Jets on Monday.
That closes another potential door for Cousins, while the Rams remain an option to reunite with McVay, his offensive coordinator in Washington from 2014 through 2016.
Kirk Cousins Has 3rd Option
GettyKirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons looks on after the game against the Los Angeles Rams.
Cousins’ third option, in Breer’s estimation, is to “wait.” That comes with the “risk” of never receiving the “right opportunity,” but also of eventually landing with a team contending for the postseason if it does.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in free agency in 2024. He started 14 games during his first season in Atlanta, going 7-7.
Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, went 5-3 in his eight starts in 2025.
The Rams would be getting older behind Stafford with this move. Cousins is three years older than Garoppolo, and inexperienced 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett IV is the only other QB under contract.
The Rams almost certainly will add another passer to their QB room. The question is whether the Rams want to fill that void with another veteran like Cousins or a younger option.
Rams Have Not Closed Door on Jimmy Garoppolo
GettyJimmy Garoppolo #11 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Carolina Panthers.
The Rams have not ruled out Garoppolo’s return, which could bode well for Cousins in that they remain open to keeping an aging veteran behind Stafford.
It is invariably better news for Garoppolo.
McVay lauded Garoppolo for helping the Rams navigate Stafford’s back injury that sidelined him in training camp and the preseason. McVay also expected Garoppolo to draw interest in free agency.
Instead, like Cousins, Garoppolo remains a free agent as his options seemingly dwindle.
Rams Floated as Fitting Landing Spot for 4-Time Pro Bowl QB