Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
For former Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins, the list of open teams with starting quarterback needs has dried up. Most of the top free agent quarterbacks have already landed with those teams.
The Falcons were actually one of the first once free agency opened by signing Tua Tagovailoa after his release from the Miami Dolphins. Before that, it was Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis landing with the Dolphins.
Later, Geno Smith was traded from the Las Vegas Raiders to his former team, the New York Jets. And then there was Kyler Murray going to the Minnesota Vikings upon his release from the Arizona Cardinals.
So, what’s left for Kirk Cousins?
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Packers Suggested as Surprise Backup Option
As ESPN’s Bill Barnwell points out, it’s difficult to imagine Cousins, 37, getting another guaranteed starting job at this point in his career. With that being said, his best option could still be as a backup — something he spent a good portion of time doing in Atlanta last season.
One surprise team Barnwell believes could make sense is the Green Bay Packers, who now have to replace Willis after he left for Miami.
“The Packers need a backup quarterback after losing Malik Willis to the Dolphins in free agency,” Barnwell said. “They run play-action at one of the highest rates in the league under Matt LaFleur. Jordan Love has missed two games to injury in each of the past two years, so the Packers have to be conscious of their need to have a backup they trust if Love can’t go. While LaFleur might try to find value with another prospect in the same way the Packers once did when they traded for Willis, Cousins would be a solid option as the backup behind Love in 2026.”
Unless Cousins is simply adding the Packers to a list of teams he hoped to play for — or he’s just desperate to remain in the league — this doesn’t seem like the most logical option for him.
It was well-known after he was benched by the Falcons that he wanted to be released so he could seek another starting opportunity elsewhere. He even met with Falcons owner Arthur Blank insisting as much, but nothing ever came from it.
So seeing him settle for another backup position — and a more permanent one at that — seems highly unlikely.
Steelers, Browns Still Possible Starting Options
Barnwell did note there are still two teams where Cousins could potentially compete for a starting job: the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns.
“For Cousins, the question might be more about what he hopes to accomplish than where he ends up. Is Cousins’ goal to have the best opportunity to play? If so, the Browns or Steelers seem like obvious landing spots,” Barnwell added.
The Browns are constantly in flux when it comes to their quarterback situation, and adding a veteran like Cousins almost feels fitting given their uncertainty. They have no clear answer with Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel or Deshaun Watson.
As for the Steelers, there’s still the assumption that Aaron Rodgers could return for one more season. But if that doesn’t happen, a quick pivot to Cousins would make sense.
If Cousins’ final aspiration is simply winning before retiring, though, he may have to accept a backup role.
“Is he hoping to win a Super Bowl before retiring? If so, Cousins is probably looking at a strict backup role,” Barnwell said.