Kirk Cousins\u2019 offseason has been full of trade talk after the Atlanta Falcons benched him late last season for rookie Michael Penix Jr. That move sparked rumors about his future with the team. Cousins, who is 36 years old, signed a four-year, $180 million deal in 2024. However, he struggled last season, throwing 18 touchdowns and a league-high 16 interceptions. Teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and even the Minnesota Vikings\u2014his former team\u2014have all been named as possible trade options.<\/p>\n
As the 2025 NFL season gets closer, the trade rumors are still going strong. Cousins has a no-trade clause, and reports say he doesn\u2019t want to play for a team with a young quarterback, which makes a move tricky. After Saints quarterback Derek Carr retired due to a shoulder injury, New Orleans has come up as another possible landing spot. But salary cap issues and the fact that the Saints and Falcons are in the same division make a trade to New Orleans harder to pull off.<\/p>\n
Rapoport Predicts Cousins Will Stay in Trade Rumors All Season<\/p>\n
NFL insider Ian Rapoport recently shared his thoughts on Cousins\u2019 situation, saying it looks like he will start the 2025 season as the Falcons\u2019 backup quarterback. \u201cAs of right now, it certainly appears Kirk Cousins is set to be their backup quarterback for the 2025 season,\u201d Rapoport said. He added that if any team needs a starter with experience\u2014such as the Pittsburgh Steelers if Aaron Rodgers doesn\u2019t sign there\u2014Cousins would likely be one of the first quarterbacks they call.<\/p>\n
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Rapoport also noted that Cousins will be a major topic throughout the preseason and regular season. \u201cEvery time a quarterback gets hurt, the Falcons are going to be like, \u2018Hello, look at the guy we got,\u2019\u201d he said. He suggested that Atlanta could even land a premium draft pick by trading Cousins during the season if a team becomes desperate enough. Until then, Cousins remains a valuable backup option, even as trade rumors continue to swirl.<\/p>\n