Following the conclusion of minicamps last week, the NFL has entered a lull in action, at least on the field. But, with just one month until the start of training camp, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox has included both Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts on his latest NFL Trade Block Big Board.
This could be the perfect time for a team to make a big splash trade. Training camp starts next month and the final cuts take place on August 26. The next two months will be crucial for teams like the Falcons. Atlanta could make decisions on two key players that could deliver younger, more cost-effective talent at key positions.
Cousins Lands at No. 10 on Trade Block Big Board
While the Falcons have spent the offseason with a Kirk Cousins trade in the back of their minds, they haven’t really had an opportunity to make a deal happen.
The Browns quarterback room is overflowing. Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard and then finally landed Aaron Rodgers. Even the Giants signed two veterans in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston and then drafted Jaxson Dart.
Although the Falcons do not currently have a clear trade partner available, Kristopher Knox kept Cousins on his trade block big board because “he’s the best quarterback likely to be available via trade in 2025.”
Cousins would have to waive his no-trade clause. But it’s possible that he would do so if he can land a starting role elsewhere. If the Falcons can find a trade partner, they would open up a massive $27.5 million in cap space.
As Knox points out, though, Cousins’ trade value won’t spike “until/unless another starter is injured or a QB competition fails to yield a reliable starter.” With that in mind, Knox notes that the Vikings and Saints are the two “situations to watch.”
The Saints invested in the position through the draft, selecting Tyler Shough in the second round. After they lost Derek Carr to retirement this offseason, they will now have a competition between Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener.
As long as Cousins stays healthy, he should be an upgrade over most or all of those options. If the Saints want a veteran presence in their quarterback room, Cousins would be a solid fit.
As for the Vikings, second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy should win his competition over Sam Howell. But, as Knox writes, if J.J. McCarthy has any setbacks or shows any signs of struggle, Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell “could consider adding a familiar face in Cousins” to the quarterback room.
Falcons Publicly ‘Prefer’ to Keep Pitts, but Trade Could Open up $10.9 Million in Cap Space
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, “multiple teams” reached out this offseason to check in on Kyle Pitts’ availability. But, the Falcons have made it clear that they “prefer” to keep Pitts around.
While the Falcons may prefer to keep him around, Knox notes that Pitts is stuck as “more of an ancillary option in Atlanta’s current offense.” His production has dropped off significantly following his impressive rookie campaign. That drop-off may convince Atlanta to find a trade partner as a cost-saving measure.
Atlanta could save nearly $10.9 million in cap space if they can find a trade partner for Pitts. With just over $5.3 million in cap space – which ranks 30th in the league – the Falcons should seriously consider moving him.
Knox includes two AFC North teams in the Steelers and Browns as the most likely potential suitors for Pitts. He notes that Pitts would be re-joining his former head coach Arthur Smith if he joined the Steelers. While Pittsburgh has Pat Freiermuth, Knox writes that “Pitts would be a terrific complement” to him.
Knox notes that the Browns could be another destination for Pitts. As Knox writes, Cleveland has “shown a willingness to add promising players who have underwhelmed before.” He points to their addition of Jerry Jeudy last season as an example, adding that the Browns “could view Pitts as a potential long-term contributor.”
The Browns may have invested in the position by drafted Harold Fannin Jr. in the third round. But, David Njoku is entering the final year of his contract. If Cleveland is looking to get younger at the position, they could be on the lookout for Pitts to hit the trade block.
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