Cousins on the Move? Predicting the Best Trade Destinations for the Falcons QB in 2025
The Atlanta Falcons’ 2024 season was a rollercoaster, to say the least. After signing Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year, $180 million contract, the team surprised everyone by drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick. [1, 3, 5, 7]. This move immediately cast doubt on Cousins’ future in Atlanta, and after being benched in favor of Penix towards the end of the season, the writing seems to be on the wall. [1]. With the 2025 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the question now is: where could Cousins land in 2025?
The Falcons’ Quarterback Conundrum
The Falcons’ brass, including owner Arthur Blank, general manager Terry Fontenot, and head coach Raheem Morris, have maintained that they are comfortable with Cousins as Penix’s backup. [4, 23]. Fontenot even stated, “He’s not the starter anymore, but we’re very comfortable moving forward with (Cousins) as a backup.” [4]. However, Morris also acknowledged that Cousins wants to start, and the team won’t hold him back if a trade opportunity arises that benefits both sides. [11].
This situation leaves Cousins in a precarious position. He has a guaranteed salary of $27.5 million for 2025, and his cap number is $40 million. [1]. Trading Cousins would be difficult, but teams needing a veteran quarterback could potentially restructure his deal. [1]. However, the Falcons are reportedly asking for a significant return in a potential trade, including the next team paying off nearly half of the remaining guaranteed money. [1].
Potential Trade Destinations
Despite the challenges, several teams could be potential landing spots for Cousins in 2025. Here are some of the most likely candidates:
1. Cleveland Browns: A reunion with Kevin Stefanski, Cousins’ former offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings, has been a long-speculated possibility. [8, 17]. While the Browns have a crowded quarterback room with Deshaun Watson, Kenny Pickett, and Joe Flacco, the Watson experiment has been largely unsuccessful. [11]. If the Browns aren’t convinced that Watson is the long-term answer, they could turn to Cousins as a reliable veteran. However, the Browns have seemingly cooled on the idea of acquiring Cousins. [8, 11, 20].
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Cousins, especially if they miss out on other quarterback options. [1, 6, 17, 19]. While they drafted Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they may want a veteran presence to compete with Mason Rudolph and mentor a young quarterback. [1]. However, reports suggest that the Steelers may have cooled on Cousins after getting feedback from Arthur Smith, the Falcons’ former head coach, about Cousins’ play. [19].
3. Minnesota Vikings: A return to Minnesota, where Cousins played for six seasons, is another intriguing possibility. [1, 6, 8]. The Vikings are seeking a veteran quarterback after Sam Darnold’s departure, and Cousins knows Kevin O’Connell’s offense well. [1]. His relationship with Justin Jefferson could also be a factor in his return. [1]. However, the Vikings traded for Sam Howell, potentially filling their need for a veteran backup. [2].
4. New Orleans Saints: With Derek Carr dealing with a potential shoulder injury, the Saints could be in the market for a quarterback. [8, 21]. New coach Kellen Moore needs a reliable option under center, and Cousins could be a good fit in their offense. [8].
The Contractual Hurdles
Cousins’ contract presents a significant obstacle to any potential trade. He has a no-trade clause, meaning he has to approve any destination. [3, 11, 18]. He’s unlikely to waive that clause unless he’s confident he’ll have a chance to start. [11, 18].
The Falcons also face a significant dead cap hit if they release or trade Cousins. A pre-June 1 trade would result in a $37.5 million dead cap hit in 2025, while a post-June 1 trade would save them $2.5 million. [3, 10]. Releasing him before June 1 would result in a dead cap hit of $75 million. [3].
The Waiting Game
Given the complexities of Cousins’ contract and the uncertainty of the quarterback market, the Falcons may have to play the waiting game. As Terry Fontenot said, “We just have to be patient there…we’re always open…if something comes to us with Kirk or any other player that makes sense and it’s gonna help this team, then we’re gonna be aggressive and we’re going to do it.” [14].
The most likely scenario is that the Falcons will wait for a starting quarterback to get injured, creating a need for a veteran like Cousins. [14]. Until then, Cousins may remain in Atlanta as Penix’s backup, a situation that the Falcons seem prepared to accept. [4, 23].
Other potential scenarios
There are other potential scenarios that could unfold.
- Cousins gets released: If the Falcons can’t find a trade partner, they could release Cousins. [8, 10, 17]. This would be a costly move due to the dead cap hit, but it would free up Cousins to sign with any team he chooses. [3, 7, 10].
- Cousins restructures his contract: Cousins could agree to restructure his contract to make himself more attractive to potential trade partners. [1]. This could involve taking a pay cut or converting some of his salary into a signing bonus. [1].
- A surprise team emerges: The NFL is full of surprises, and a team not currently on the radar could emerge as a potential destination for Cousins. [1, 6, 8, 17]. This could happen if a team’s quarterback gets injured or if a team decides to move on from its current starter. [14].
The Future is Uncertain
Ultimately, Kirk Cousins’ future in Atlanta is uncertain. While the Falcons have publicly stated their comfort with him as a backup, his desire to start and the team’s willingness to explore trade opportunities suggest that he could be on the move in 2025. [4, 11, 23]. Whether he ends up in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, or elsewhere, one thing is clear: the Cousins saga will continue to be one of the most intriguing storylines to follow in the NFL. [1, 6, 8, 17].