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Kirk Cousins‘ time with the Atlanta Falcons is nearing its finish. The franchise is reportedly set to chop the veteran quarterback earlier than the beginning of the brand new league 12 months in March.
This can conclude a reasonably muted tenure in Atlanta for Cousins. He was signed to a four-year, $180 million deal again in 2024, and simply months later noticed the group draft Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 general choose on the NFL Draft. That immediately put a ceiling on Cousins’ tenure with the Falcons, and he finally made method for Penix in Week 16 of that 12 months. Penix then began the primary 9 video games of the 2025 season, however a torn ACL put him on season-ending IR and introduced Cousins again into the fold because the starter.
Over his 10 appearances, the 37-year-old complted 61.7% of his passes with an 84.8 passer score, whereas going 5-3 over his eight begins. Whereas Cousins is definitely not at his apex, he is a reliable starter, which suggests he’ll have a market as soon as he turns into a free agent following his pending launch by the Falcons.
So, the place might he find yourself? Let’s dive right into a handful of attainable touchdown spots.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The jury continues to be out on whether or not or not Aaron Rodgers can be again for his twenty second season within the NFL or if he’ll go for retirement as he is alluded to all through the 2025 season. If he does name it quits, the Steelers aren’t in a robust place to discover a quarterback of the long run on the 2026 NFL Draft, proudly owning the twenty first general choose. With that in thoughts, the entrance workplace might do what they’ve accomplished over the previous couple of offseasons and usher in veteran quarterbacks. They did it with Russell Wilson in 2024 and Aaron Rodgers final 12 months, and it might seem to be Cousins suits that related profile they’ve focused previously. With Mike McCarthy now put in as head coach, Cousins’ skillset would additionally appear to suit his system fairly seamlessly.
Minnesota Vikings
Who says you possibly can’t return? The Minnesota Vikings are on the heels of firing normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, which was due, partly, to the staff bungling their quarterback state of affairs and choosing 2024 first-round choose J.J. McCarthy over Sam Darnold. With Adofo-Mensah, arguably McCarthy’s greatest proponent, out the door, it stands to surprise how sturdy the rising third-year quarterback’s footing is throughout the group. In spite of everything, McCarthy completed final in completion share, TD-INT ratio, and passer score in 2025. The Vikings will seemingly give McCarthy one other shot to show himself because the franchise centerpiece in 2026, however you higher imagine they will search for insurance coverage if he falters but once more. Cousins, who performed for the Vikings from 2018 to 2023, is aware of Kevin O’Connell’s system and will are available as a backup with the chance to ascend because the starter if McCarthy proves to be a bust.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are broadly anticipated to maneuver on from Tua Tagovailoa this offseason because the group is ushering in a brand new period with GM John-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. In an ideal world, this reset for Miami would characteristic the franchise additionally bringing in a younger quarterback, however this crop of signal-callers on the 2026 NFL Draft is not projected to have somebody accessible to them, particularly at No. 11 general. Furthermore, the Dolphins are at present projected to be roughly $16.4 million over the wage cap, and a looming departure of Tagovailoa will depart a lofty lifeless cap cost. Meaning in addition they do not have the monetary flexibility to herald one other higher-caliber, dearer choice that would grow to be accessible, both, making Cousins a logical goal as a short-term bridge quarterback.
New York Jets
The Jets are at present misplaced at sea and with out a paddle in terms of the quarterback place. The Justin Fields experiment in 2025 blew up of their face, and, whereas they possess the No. 2 general choose on the 2026 NFL Draft, there is not going to be a quarterback worthy of that choice, notably after Dante Moore determined to stay at Oregon. New York does have a projected $83.2 million in accessible cap house, so they might attempt to search for a higher-caliber quarterback, but when they strike out in that search, Cousins would not be a foul comfort prize. He might maintain down the fort for 2026 and provides the franchise some stability at that place, whereas they use their assortment of first-round picks this spring to fill different wants alongside the roster.
San Francisco 49ers
It’s possible you’ll not have anticipated to see the 49ers on this record, however let’s clarify why this should not be dominated out. Whereas we highlighted just a few groups the place Cousins could possibly be a logical match as a starter, there is a risk {that a} beginning job is just not accessible to him this offseason, leaving him with the choice of going someplace as a backup if he desires to proceed enjoying. In the meantime, Mac Jones, San Francisco’s present backup quarterback, impressed when coming in for the injured Brock Purdy this season, going 5-3 because the starter with a 97.4 passer score over these appearances. The Niners are reportedly reluctant to commerce Jones, however what if a staff blows them out of the water? With Brock Purdy because the set-and-forget starter, you nearly have to maneuver Jones if a staff is available in with an enormous provide.
In the event that they do and the 49ers ship him out of the Bay Space, they instantly want a backup. Enter: Kirk Cousins. One of many worst-kept secrets and techniques within the NFL is Kyle Shanahan’s affinity for Cousins after working with him because the OC in Washington for the primary two years of his profession. Actually, it was broadly believed the 49ers had been going to signal Cousins as a free agent in 2018, however traded for Jimmy Garoppolo earlier than he reached the open market. Effectively, all these years later, Shanahan and Cousins might lastly reunite, albeit with him because the backup.
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