Every Spring, the NFL’s QB carousel spins fast, but this year? Names like Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Milroe, Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart have been spinning around faster than the Squid Game’s Mingle. And now, a seasoned QB, fresh off of signing a sweet $180M deal, is smack in the middle of trade rumors and hot takes from every corner of the league. As the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off, one name is on everyone’s lips – Kirk Cousins.
“I want to be where I’m wanted, and that’s what I’ve said all along. When a team is willing to step up and commit to me fully for the long haul, then why would I want to be anywhere else?” These words, once spoken by Kirk Cousins, have a whole new meaning now. Teams – plural – are suddenly eyeing Cousins as a signing prospect. Yep, the same Cousins Atlanta threw a bag at last year. But after grabbing Michael Penix Jr. in the draft, the Falcons are clearly shifting gears. This leaves Cousins as an expensive backup, or more likely, a prime trade chip. So what’s going on?
According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, three teams are seriously in the mix for Cousins: the Steelers, Browns and maybe the Vikings. Russini writes, “The Browns, Steelers, and possibly Vikings could be involved in a Cousins trade. – It’s believed that Cousins would be against any trade that involves sending him to a situation involving a young QB, similar to the situation he faced in Atlanta last year. If a trade were to happen, I’d expect it to go down on Saturday.” Let’s break it down.
The Steelers, Browns and possibly Vikings could be involved in a trade involving Kirk Cousins, sources say.
Minnesota is looked at as the least likely scenario, given their preference to favor J.J. McCarthy, and Cousins would need to sign off on any deal he’s involved in.… pic.twitter.com/HGxVeNsbFC
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 23, 2025
The Steelers are in QB limbo and hunting for a stable veteran who can drive them to win. There’s no word from Aaron Rodgers, and Cousins could be the answer for them. For the Browns, Cousins has a connection with HC Kevin Stefanski from their Minnesota days. With Deshaun Watson’s torn Achilles, his 2025 status is a question mark. Joe Flacco is getting old, and Cousins could slide right in. As for the Minnesota Vikings, they are focused on grooming J.J. McCarthy, and Cousins really doesn’t want to be a second choice, so that seems highly unlikely. Throw in Cousins’ no-trade clause and things get more complicated.
According to Adam Schefter, the Falcons have “asked for any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $45 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins’ contract.” That’s an expensive choice any team that signs him would have to make. In another report, however, Schefter has pointed out, “There is a feeling around the league that a team, whether it is the Vikings or Steelers, might be willing to pay down roughly $10 million – How much any team would be willing to pay also would influence the compensation it gives up. – The Falcons and Cousins, who has a no-trade clause, recognize their future is not together, and how it will play out could very well be influenced by this draft.”
So, there’s hope. And it all boils down to the teams who are willing to pay up, and of course, what Cousins wants to do. But is it really as simple as that?
Kirk Cousins shows up where no one expected
“What impact are you making, not only today, but for eternity? What impact are you making to leave a legacy?” While the rumor mills were spinning stories about where Kirk Cousins would go, he seemed to have other plans entirely. In a move that no one saw coming, he showed up – unannounced – to the Falcons’ voluntary offseason workouts. There he was, throwing passes with Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson and the rest of the crew. For a guy who’s most likely on his way out, that’s a bold move – and a calculated one. Cousins isn’t just staying in shape, he’s reminding the league who he is. A pro, a leader, and a guy who’s still got plenty of gas in the tank.
Everyone expected him not to show, even HC Raheem Morris, who had said in the NFL annual meeting, “I’m not going to be foolish to think that he’s going to show up for voluntary work – I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms. But I’m not going to be foolish enough to make myself get worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.” But he showed up and made a statement. His legacy? It’s far from over.
The Falcons are clear: Michael Penix Jr. is their guy right now. Cousins? He’s in the rearview. But as the team figures out what’s next, there’s no drama—just quiet determination to move forward. For Cousins, this might be his final audition. Every throw, every rep, every handshake – it’s all part of the pitch to his next team. Whether that’s Pittsburgh, Cleveland, or a wild-card contender we haven’t even heard about yet, Cousins is staying ready. Will he be traded in the next few days? Or will he keep showing up, proving he’s not done yet? Whatever happens, his story is far from over.
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