The Atlanta Falcons definitely made a mistake signing Kirk Cousins last offseason. Could these three teams have interest in trading for him? The initial deal to sign Cousins was not a bad idea, as the Falcons had and have a win-now roster but were missing an efficient QB. If nothing else, Kirk Cousins has been just that.
Well, their decision to draft Michael Penix Jr with pick eight in the 2024 NFL Draft seemed a bit odd and kind of then made their decision to sign Cousins an odd one. Here is some recent information from insider Jordan Schultz about the situation with the Falcons and Cousins:
""Right now, they're frustrated and just trying to buy time," a current GM told FOX Sports. "They're all-in on (Michael) Penix. He's their guy. They love him. But they can't keep Cousins — just can't. So I think (GM Terry Fontenot) is trying to find a trade partner willing to take on at least part of Kirk's salary."Jordan Schultz
How likely is that?
"Not very," the GM said. "But it's still possible. Maybe he can get a team that misses out on a QB to bite before or even after the draft. That's his best shot — hoping someone is still without a quarterback when the music stops. But they're calling everyone right now that will listen.""
Only time will tell if the Falcons can offload Cousins. Let's dive into three teams that could make sense for the veteran QB in 2025.
3 logical trade destinations for Kirk Cousins in the 2025 NFL Season
New York Giants
You have to hand it to the New York Giants for them being as bad and dysfunctional as they are for this long. It's truly impressive. They have dug themselves into an urgent hole where they have no choice to find immediate production at QB and long-term production this offseason.
The Giants may end up taking Shedeur Sanders with the third pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but it might also benefit them to do a bit of insurance planning before that. If the Giants were to swing a trade for Kirk Cousins, they would probably have to guarantee him the starting job for all of 2025.
Cousins would be another year removed from his torn Achilles recovery, and he'd get to throw to stud WR Malik Nabers. I am not saying this is a great destination for any QB (it isn't), but the Giants truly have no choice.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are another team that has totally botched their QB situation in recent years, recently trotting out players like Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson. To the surprise of no one, none of them were long-term answers.
Pittsburgh needs to get with the modern times with their QB situation. This team is still stuck in 2008 - they spend a ton of money on defense and do not invest enough into the QB position. While there isn't a viable path for them to find a long-term QB option this offseason, they could pursue Kirk Cousins in a trade.
The Steelers might benefit from making a substantive push to acquire a franchise QB prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, as their options this offseason are limited. Cousins would be able to throw to guys like George Pickens and DK Metcalf, and the Steelers offensive line is competent enough.
For the billionth year in a row, the Pittsburgh Steelers may have another new starting QB for Week 1.
Cleveland Browns
Kirk Cousins and Kevin Stefanski were both with the Minnesota Vikings at one point, so there is an obvious connect present. The Browns, as we know, swung a huge trade for Deshaun Watson years ago, and it blew up in their faces. At this point, it might not be likely that Watson even suits up for another NFL team.
He tore his Achilles for a second time and is likely out for the entirety of the 2025 NFL Season. With the Browns picking second overall, they might not be able to land QB Cam Ward, the best quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
Cleveland's plan of action might be to then take the best player available and perhaps acquire Kirk Cousins in a trade. It could at least make them competent for a season under center, and it would buy the front office some time to figure out a long-term QB solution.
Kirk Cousins is not a sexy option anymore, and neither are the teams still searching for competent QB play.