It’s been quite some time since we’ve had any news updates on Atlanta Falcons‘ quarterback Kirk Cousins. For most of the offseason it was almost daily speculation about whether or not the Falcons would trade him.
The Falcons spent plenty of time convincing the public that they’d like to trade him, but would be fine if he stayed put. Whether or not you bought any of what they were selling is up to the individual, but it’s more and more likely that he’s the backup to Michael Penix heading into the 2025 season.
One of the potential trade partners for the Falcons was the Minnesota Vikings. And when I say “potential trade partners,” I’m talking about complete media speculation. But, the Vikings closed the door on Cousins this weekend when they signed Carson Wentz and traded quarterback Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Trade! The #Vikings are sending QB Sam Howell to the #Eagles, sources tell me and @RapSheet,” Tom Pelissero posted on X. “Minnesota gets a 2026 5th-round pick and a 2027 7th. Philadelphia gets a 2026 6th and Howell, an experienced backup for Jalen Hurts while Tanner McKee deals with an injury.”
So, now what? The Falcons seem content to hold onto Cousins even if it’s not really their decision, but there are a couple of other teams out there who might need his services.
The Indianapolis Colts might need Cousins sooner rather than later
What can be said about the Indianapolis Colts‘ quarterback situation that hasn’t already been said about Sirhan Sirhan? In a move that excited no one, they recently named Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback, narrowly edging out Anthony Richardson with an iron boot.
But, there is a more-likely-than-not chance that Jones doesn’t play the entire season due to incompetence, injury or a combination of both. They can turn to Richardson for roughly a week before the we-knew-how-that-would-turn-out experiment ends.
Here’s the problem: Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard don’t have time for that. They need to win or they are both gone, and if they ride the Jones/Richardson carousel too long that could be of the midseason-firing variety.
Outside of his bloated contract, Cousins will come relatively cheap in trade. And even if he didn’t, Steichen and Ballard could subscribe to the someone-else’s-problem theory in terms of the compensation.
The New Orleans Saints are always an option because…Saints
The New Orleans Saints spent a second-round pick on 26-year old Tyler Shough, who is no Brandon Weeden when it comes to age requirements, but he also doesn’t look like an NFL starting quarterback right now.
His best chance to start is to have Spencer Rattler as his competition. Lucky for Shough, he does. Head coach Kellen Moore says he’ll make a decision on a starting quarterback this week, which means he’s picking between Shough and Rattler. You get where I’m going with this?
Would the Falcons trade Cousins within the division? Honestly, if they really want to move him and get something for him, why not? With or without Cousins, it’s tough to see the Saints doing much of anything this year (or any time soon if we’re being honest).
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