The Atlanta Falcons continue to employ the NFL’s highest-paid backup quarterback five weeks into the season. Kirk Cousins‘ time as a starter in Atlanta may be over, but a few teams may be interested in his services as injuries pile up at the quarterback position.

Cousins has appeared in just one game this season, completing five of seven passes for 29 yards, but he’s arguably healthy for the first time in two years. Prior to his mid-season injury in 2024, the 37-year-old was playing at a high level and the Falcons were 6-3.

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After that, things fell apart for Cousins. He finished his 2024 campaign with 18 touchdowns and a career-high 16 interceptions. While those aren’t great numbers, the veteran QB has been fairly consistent when healthy throughout his career. From 2015 to 2023, Cousins finished each season with a passer rating of 92 or higher.

Pro Football Sports Network published a new feature examining three potential landing spots for Cousins in a trade. The first suggestion would be tough to stomach since it involves the Falcons trading him to their most-hated rivals.

Kirk Cousins to Saints?

With the Saints sitting 0-4 and looking unlikely to turn things around, Cousins could remain in the NFC South and prove himself on a team that needs a boost. Derek Carr’s shock retirement left the Saints without a veteran leader on offense, and the team failed to replace that experience during the offseason. – PFSN Analyst Cameron Sheath

The Saints are in a free fall, and with the Arch Manning sweepstakes seemingly on hold, there’s no clear prospect worth tanking for. Cousins makes a lot of sense for the Saints, especially with Kellen Moore struggling in his first year. I like the idea, but it’s hard to imagine Atlanta and New Orleans doing business anytime soon.

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Kirk Cousins to Bengals?

The Bengals have lost two straight games with their backup starting and have looked terrible in both games.Of 37 qualifying quarterbacks, Browning ranks dead last in PFSN’s QB Impact score, having thrown three touchdowns to five interceptions so far this year. The Bengals have some of the best skill players in the NFL, and even competent quarterback play would make them playoff contenders once more. – PFSN Analyst Cameron Sheath

The Bengals are the option that makes the most sense for this season. With Burrow sidelined indefinitely and Browning struggling, Cincinnati could make a splash and bring in Cousins. It would obviously be a short-term marriage, as Burrow should be back by next season at the very latest, but the Bengals spent a lot of money this offseason and it could all go to waste without a QB. I tend to agree with Sheath that Cincinnati could probably make the playoffs with Cousins under center.

Kirk Cousins to Browns?

A trade for a new starter remains a long way off, but if Gabriel struggles, and Sanders is struggling as much as many have suggested, it’s not an impossibility. The team has already given up on Flacco, who may even retire before the end of the year. HC Kevin Stefanski had success with Cousins during their time together with the Minnesota Vikings and could find himself in a desperate situation if neither of the rookies work out. – PFSN Analyst Cameron Sheath

The Browns benched Joe Flacco, and while Cousins has experience with Stefanski, I don’t see them making another move for a quarterback. Cleveland needs to see what it has in its two rookies before bringing in someone like Cousins. Although I agree that if they both struggle, Cousins could be a solid two-to-three-year solution for a Browns team that can’t seem to figure out the game’s most important position.

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This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons: Kirk Cousins trade options at bye week