Although Shedeur Sanders probably enters the draft with probably the most compelling storyline, a player who got here off the board on Day 3 13 years ago is pushing for a front-row spot. The Kirk Cousins situation stays foggy, even after the demoted Falcons quarterback reported on time for his team’s offseason program.
Cousins continues to be eyeing a way out of Atlanta, and teams proceed to come back up as interested parties. Even after their Joe Flacco addition — one which got here after Cousins consideration — the Browns are being mentioned as a candidate so as to add Cousins. So are the Steelers and Vikings, in response to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. How teams proceed within the draft will obviously play a central role in Cousins’ willingness to log out on a trade, as he isn’t planning to waive his no-trade clause before the draft — in an effort to avoid a redux of his 2024 storyline.
Of the above-referenced trio, Russini points to the Vikings being the least prone to add Cousins — in what could be a fast reunion — on account of J.J. McCarthy‘s presence. With McCarthy’s path to the Minnesota starting job clear enough the team has brushed off Aaron Rodgers, it could be comprehensible if Cousins — his production under Kevin O’Connell notwithstanding — could be leery of landing there again. Cousins could be against a trade that sends him to a team with a starter-level young passer, Russini adds. Considering the teams on this mix, that is perhaps a difficult play.
Employing ex-Cousins Vikings OC Kevin Stefanski, the Browns are candidates to circle back to deal with their QB situation after making their first-round pick (likely Travis Hunter). The Giants, Saints, Rams and Dolphins join the Steelers in being linked to early-round QB investments. Cleveland already signing Flacco and adding Kenny Pickett via trade would stand to dam a Cousins path — if a rookie is tabbed, not less than. If the Browns in some way leave this draft with no QB, they could possibly be in play to reunite Cousins and Stefanski, where a Flacco competition would stand to be on tap.
As odd as it could be to see the Falcons send their high-priced backup to their top rival, the Saints also needs to be considered on the Cousins radar, Sportskeeda.com’s Tony Pauline writes. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot got here from the Saints, and Pauline adds the Falcons would consider dealing Cousins to any team willing to pay a large chunk of the QB’s 2025 money. Cousins’ 2025 base salary ($27.5MM) is guaranteed, giving the Falcons no incentive to maneuver on without someone taking up a part of the salary. We heard earlier this offseason that Atlanta wanted an acquiring team to pay not less than $20MM of Cousins’ tab. That has seemed highly unlikely to occur.
Donovan McNabb and Drew Bledsoe were traded inside their divisions this century, making a precedent for Fontenot and Co. The Saints, nonetheless, want to go away this draft with a quarterback. Mickey Loomis evaded Derek Carr questions at his pre-draft presser today, further muddying this example, one which has the veteran starter in peril of missing some (or all) of the 2025 season on account of a shoulder injury. Recent Orleans has done extensive work on prospects but is viewed as less prone to spend its No. 9 overall pick on the position. This is able to send them right into a battle royal of sorts with the lot of teams eyeing this draft’s second wave of passers.
The Steelers could possibly be the spot teams eyeing a trade-up maneuver to focus on, though they usually are not certain to make use of their first-rounder (No. 21) on a QB, either. Mike Tomlin has said Mason Rudolph could be an appropriate starter, but Pittsburgh — recent doubts aside — continues to be pursuing Rodgers. It had been expected across the league, per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, the Steelers would have a solution from the longer term Hall of Famer by the draft. With that not happening, the Steelers have to cover their bases. On that note, they’ve also done work on potential Day 3 options in Syracuse’s Kyle McCord and his Ohio State successor (Will Howard), per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler.
More notably, Fowler adds the Steelers wish to take a QB swing in one in every of the subsequent two drafts. That might create the illusion of flexibility, though if Rodgers doesn’t show in Pittsburgh, Rudolph would move to the front of the road if the Steelers don’t make a first- or second-day addition. Cousins, then, would grow to be insurance against Rodgers balking at a longstanding Pittsburgh offer. Would the Steelers make a preemptive play for the Falcons backup in the event that they lose patience with Rodgers?
Offering a final wrinkle here, Schultz adds Arthur Blank could also opt to maintain Cousins (after presumably not seeing other teams comply with tackle much salary). Several sources inform Schultz that Cousins could possibly be effectively held hostage (a well-paid hostage, but still) as Michael Penix Jr.‘s backup. Considering Penix’s injury past, the Falcons considering Fontenot’s previous decree to retain Cousins as QB2 has some merit.
This is able to drain a 12 months from Cousins’ profession, his age-37 season, while giving the Falcons insurance ahead of a smoother 2026 release. It will stand to reason we still have loads of Cousins updates to come back between now and this potential reality.
