As we near the end of the offseason, trade rumors will continue to heat up. For the Falcons, there has been one name that has continued to pop up in trade talks: Kirk Cousins.
Even though Cousins is among the best backup quarterbacks in the league, the Falcons face a dire cap situation. Kirk Cousins plays no small part in that, as the veteran has a cap hit of $57.5 million in each of the next two seasons. So, if Atlanta is looking to open up some cap space, they could pursue a trade to send him elsewhere. According to Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, that could include a deal to send him to a division rival.
Why Would the Falcons Trade Kirk Cousins?
There are plenty of benefits to keeping Kirk Cousins around as a veteran presence. How many young quarterbacks have the chance to learn from a guy who’s spent 13 years in the league?
There’s some invaluable advice and guidance that only a guy like Cousins can provide. But, does it make financial sense to keep him around with a $57.5 million cap hit?
If the Falcons were close to finding a trade partner for him, we would likely be hearing more about the trade talks from sources like Adam Schefter or Marc Raimondi. So, as of now, it seems safe to say that a trade is not on the horizon.
However, this is the time of year where teams make final roster decisions and gain clarity about their biggest needs. After a handful of trades earlier this week, let’s dive into what a trade with the New Orleans Saints could look like.
Following a confusing start to the Kirk Cousins era in Atlanta, could it be over after just 14 games? It all depends on what they can get in return for the freshly 37-year-old quarterback.
Saints May Be Desperate Enough at QB to Trade for Cousins
Some may appreciate the importance of having a guy like Kirk Cousins around to mentor a young quarterback. But, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay doesn’t seem to see it the same way.
I certainly agree that the Falcons showed some questionable judgment by signing Cousins to his massive deal before drafting Michael Penix Jr. a few weeks later. But, Kay was a little harsher in his evaluation.
Kay noted that their decision “might be remembered as a historic misstep,” especially considering Cousins’ status as “an exorbitantly priced backup.” Luckily, he noted that the Saints are in desperate need of help at the quarterback position.
Even though we are just over two weeks away from Week 1, Saints head coach Kellen Moore still has not declared a winner in their quarterback competition. In a battle between rookie Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, Kay noted that New Orleans “has a crop of talent that lacks experience across the board.”
In Kay’s trade pitch, the Falcons send Kirk Cousins to New Orleans in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round pick. While Atlanta would love to shed the salary, does a fifth-round pick serve as a worthy return?
I think this trade makes more sense for New Orleans in the short-term, as Kay noted that the Saints’ quarterback situation would be “dramatically improved” by Kirk Cousins’ presence.
Ultimately, a Kirk Cousins trade is unlikely at this point in the offseason. But, if the Saints are desperate enough, and up their offer a bit, the Falcons may entertain it.
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