Kirk Cousins landing spots: Browns, Giants best fits if Falcons release QB
The Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins find themselves at a crossroads just one year after the parties agreed to a lucrative free-agent contract.
Cousins had an up-and-down first season in Atlanta. He started the season strong, posting a 509-yard passing game in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and positioning the Falcons atop the NFC South. However, beginning in Week 10, Cousins led the Falcons to a 1-4 record while completing just
However, Cousins struggled during the second half of the season. The Falcons posted a 1-4 record over his final five starts as he completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,180 yards, one touchdown and nine interceptions.
Cousins' struggles led Atlanta to bench the veteran in favor of 2024 first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. The Falcons are expected to roll with Penix Jr. as their starter in 2025 and beyond, but they haven't ruled out keeping Cousins as a backup quarterback.
That said, Cousins is in year two of a four-year, $180 million deal, which would make him one of the league's most expensive backups. As such, the Falcons could move on from him to clear some salary cap space or if they receive a solid trade offer for his services.
Here's a look at some of the most likely landing spots if Cousins is released or traded.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns are desperate for an upgrade over Deshaun Watson but can't break the bank in pursuing one. Cleveland would be hard-pressed to trade for Cousins. The 36-year-old would come cheap if he's released, as the Falcons already owe him $27.5 million fully guaranteed for the 2025 season.
Cousins overlapped with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski for two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Rekindling the partnership could pay dividends for both men, especially if the Browns would rather use the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL draft on a position player instead of a quarterback.
New York Giants
The Giants are another team in the market for a veteran quarterback. Cousins would fit the bill, and his 159 career starts would provide a level of security for Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen as they look to save their jobs during the 2025 NFL season.
Cousins could be intrigued by the possibility of playing with a young star receiver like Malik Nabers. That could make this an ideal partnership if Aaron Rodgers doesn't end up in New York.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans have the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft but are not guaranteed to use it on a quarterback. Even if they do, it would behoove the team to have a veteran option in the fold in case Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, the top two quarterbacks in the draft, aren't ready to be starters immediately.
Cousins would be a solid stopgap starter in either circumstance. He projects as a solid fit in Brian Callahan's offense and would be a strong mentor for any quarterback drafted by the Titans and Will Levis.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have been rumored to be in the mix for Rodgers and Russell Wilson in free agency. Could they have an interest in Cousins if he hits the open market? He would represent another veteran quarterback who could get the most out of the team's receiver combo of George Pickens and DK Metcalf.
Cousins didn't overlap with Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith when he was the Falcons head coach, but perhaps they could bond over the disappointing finishes to their time in Atlanta.
New York Jets
The Jets already signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in free agency, so this may not seem like an obvious fit. Still, Cousins and Jets coach Aaron Glenn faced off often when Glenn was the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator. If he's a fan of Cousins' skill set, he could sell Cousins on coming to New York to compete with Fields for the starting job.
Cousins would likely prefer a clearer path to a starting job, but nonetheless, the Jets loom as a dark horse candidate.