Kevin Patra names one potential fit for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins at NFL trade deadline.
The NFL trade deadline is less than a week away as teams have until 4 p.m. ET on Nov. 4 to complete any deal. As those around the league highlight different possible trade deadline targets, one name has consistently been mentioned since the offseason.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is a logical trade candidate. The 14-year NFL veteran lost his job to Michael Penix Jr. late in the 2024 season, and despite returning for a spot start in Week 8, Cousins remains No. 2 on the team’s depth chart.
Trade rumors have swirled around Cousins since the offseason, but the Falcons have been unable to find a partner willing to take on his hefty salary. Now that we’re at the midway point of the 2025 season, Cousins’ remaining salary is significantly less. Even with a more manageable cap number, though, there aren’t many fits for the veteran quarterback.
However, one team still makes sense as a potential landing spot for Cousins. NFL.com’s Kevin Patra listed the Minnesota Vikings as the ideal trade partner for the Falcons.
Minnesota is the only fit for Cousins at this stage. The 37-year-old quarterback did his trade value no favors with Sunday’s outing against Miami. The Falcons haven’t shown much interest in dealing the QB, but as the season spirals, perhaps they’d change gears, especially with only five draft picks in 2026 at the moment. The Vikings aren’t exactly flush with assets to ship for an aging quarterback, but with Carson Wentz’s injury and J.J. McCarthy struggling to stay on the field, would they really risk flushing the season? — Kevin Patra, NFL.com
The Falcons defeated the Vikings in Week 2. McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain late in that game and has yet to return to the lineup in the six weeks since. With Carson Wentz out for the season, Minnesota could be in trouble if McCarthy misses more time.
At 3-4, the Vikings are still somewhat in the NFC playoff race. They could take the rest of the year to let McCarthy get experience. After all, the second-year quarterback has played in just two career NFL games. But if McCarthy struggles in Week 9, it could motivate head coach Kevin O’Connell to make a deal.
The Falcons still may end up playing Cousins on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Penix sat out of last week’s game against the Dolphins with a bone bruise in his knee, and he’s been limited through the first two days of practice in Week 9.
Atlanta will face the Patriots on the road this Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.