Top NFL Trade Packages for Kirk Cousins If Falcons Move QB in Offseason
When the Atlanta Falcons benched Kirk Cousins for rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. late in December, the move signaled a shift toward the franchise's future and uncertainty for the veteran signal-caller's career.
Cousins is currently under contract through the 2027 season, but if Atlanta receives an enticing trade offer, it could move the 36-year-old before the start of the 2025 season.
If not, the Falcons are prepared to retain Cousins as their No. 2 quarterback.
"We are very comfortable moving forward with him as the backup," Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said to reporters about Cousins.
Cousins' contract carries a $40 million cap hit and $27.5 million in guarantees for the 2025 term. With those expenses attached to his deal, the Falcons will likely need to pay a portion of his salary to work out a trade. Otherwise, Atlanta would be stuck with an absurdly expensive backup.
Quarterback-needy teams without a clear means of acquiring a starting-caliber signal-caller will likely ask what it would take to acquire Cousins.
Remember, Atlanta traded Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a 2022 third-round pick before his age-37 campaign. At the time, he was a more efficient passer than Cousins in his 2024 term.
Because of Cousins' contract and turnover-ridden performances in his last several games as a starter, Atlanta may get a little less for him in a trade than it received for Ryan.
However, the Falcons could request a player along with a draft pick for a satisfactory return in a deal. Atlanta needs help on the defensive side of the ball after finishing 23rd in total yards and points allowed.
Let's break down five trade packages that make sense for the Falcons and teams that may be interested in a veteran quarterback.
Cleveland Browns
1 of 5
Browns Get: QB Kirk Cousins
Falcons Get: 2025 4th-round pick, S Juan Thornhill
The Cleveland Browns have a quarterback issue. Deshaun Watson has struggled on the field and missed significant time because of injuries over the previous two seasons.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Watson tore his Achilles a second time since October 20. The 29-year-old signal-caller doesn't have a timetable for return.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is the only other quarterback under contract with the Browns in 2025.
Cleveland can draft a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick. That said, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that the club will evaluate "any veteran with starter's talent."
Perhaps the Browns prefer a quarterback who's undoubtedly ready to start Week 1 of the 2025 season as they wait for an update on Watson.
Based on the early buzz around this year's draft class, the top quarterback prospects, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, are on a lower scale in terms of pro readiness than the first-round passers from the 2024 class. If the Browns have a similar sentiment, Cousins could be a viable option for them.
Cleveland can offer a 2025 fourth-round pick and safety Juan Thornhill in a deal. Thornhill is going into the last year of his contract. Though he's 29, his ability to play in the slot could appeal to Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who frequently employed three-safety (big nickel) alignments during his time with the Los Angeles Rams.
Morris may have a role for Thornhill in his nickel defense, with Jessie Bates III and Justin Simmons in traditional safety roles.
Las Vegas Raiders
2 of 5
Raiders Get: QB Kirk Cousins
Falcons Get: 2025 4th-round pick, CB Jack Jones
Fox broadcast analyst Tom Brady has a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders and is heavily involved in the franchise's football operations (h/t The Athletic's Dianna Russini). With his input, the team has wiped the slate clean from the front office to the coaching staff, a much-needed sign of significant changes.
Nonetheless, the Raiders have a lingering question mark at quarterback.
They have quarterbacks Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew II and undrafted rookie Carter Bradley under contract for 2025. The club has $107.3 million in cap space and the No. 6 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
If team brass isn't intrigued by free-agent quarterback options, it can consider Cousins, assuming Atlanta is willing to pay a large portion of his salary.
In Las Vegas, Cousins could start for two to three years as the bridge-gap signal-caller while the coaching staff develops a talent in a backup role.
Because the Raiders don't have a pick high enough to draft Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, Cousins may feel confident that he would start for at least a full season over O'Connell, Minshew and possibly a Day 2 rookie signal-caller.
The Raiders could add Jack Jones to the deal to bolster their bid. Jones struggled in coverage this past season, giving up eight touchdowns, but he also made plays on the ball. As a first-time full-time starter in his three-year career, he recorded 16 pass breakups and three interceptions, including a pick-six.
Jones has a close football relationship with former Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, who vouched to claim the veteran cornerback off waivers during the 2023 season. After firing Pierce, the Raiders may be ready to move on from Jones, too.
New York Giants
3 of 5
Giants Get: QB Kirk Cousins
Falcons Get: 2025 4th-round pick, S Dane Belton
The New York Giants had a disastrous quarterback situation this past season. In November, they cut Daniel Jones. Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock started in the last six games of the campaign.
The Giants don't have a quarterback under contract in 2025. With a projected $53.5 million in cap space, they can acquire Cousins and perhaps pair him with a rookie if their preferred choice is available in the No. 3 spot.
Regardless of the Giants' draft plans, they will add a veteran to an empty quarterback room.
Cousins could be the team's immediate starter to open the 2025 campaign. General manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, whose jobs were in question, could look for a quick start the next season with a proven signal-caller.
The Falcons may be interested in Dane Belton. He's flashed in a limited role, logging 74 tackles, five for loss, 11 pass breakups, and five interceptions while playing less than 43 percent of the Giants' defensive snaps in all three of his seasons.
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New York Jets
4 of 5
Jets Get: QB Kirk Cousins
Falcons Get: 2025 4th-round pick, EDGE Micheal Clemons
The New York Jets fired their head coach and general manager during the 2024 season to prepare for a fresh start in the 2025 offseason.
The Jets' previous regime acquired quarterback Aaron Rodgers and some of his former teammates over the past couple of years, but that didn't work out. Rodgers is contemplating whether he'll play in 2025.
Even if Rodgers decides to play next season, Gang Green may move on from him. In December, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the 41-year-old signal-caller is a "long shot" to suit up for the Jets next season.
The Jets' new coaching staff could target Cousins, who would play for the team at a modest price if the Falcons continue to pay some of his salary.
In the No. 7 draft slot, New York is out of range for a top quarterback prospect, so a veteran signal-caller may be more appealing to the new general manager rather than drafting one in the second or third round and having him compete against Tyrod Taylor and Jordan Travis for the starting job at training camp.
The Jets can include Micheal Clemons in their trade package to draw the Falcons' interest.
Clemons struggles with run-lane discipline and setting the edge on early downs, though he had some bright moments last season, recording 4.5 sacks and 14 pressures.
The Falcons need depth for their pass rush. They finished 25th in pressure rate (20 percent) for the 2024 term.
Pittsburgh Steelers
5 of 5
Steelers Get: QB Kirk Cousins
Falcons Get: 2025 4th-round pick, EDGE Preston Smith
Like the New York Giants, the Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a quarterback under contract beyond the 2024 season.
Pittsburgh opened the campaign with Justin Fields under center, then benched him for Russell Wilson in Week 7.
Initially, Wilson played at a level that could've earned him an extension, but he's struggled since the beginning of December, throwing for six touchdowns and two interceptions while racking up fewer than 218 passing yards in each of his last five outings.
Pittsburgh may not offer Wilson a new contract, and Fields could look elsewhere for a better chance to start for at least a full season.
The Steelers can weigh several quarterback options if they allow Wilson and Fields to test free agency.
With a veteran-laden roster, Pittsburgh may favor a highly experienced signal-caller. Cousins would certainly fit that criterion with 159 career starts. If the 36-year-old avoids turnovers, he can help the Steelers win games, complementing a stout defense.
Pittsburgh can package Preston Smith with their 2025 fourth-round pick to compete with offers for Cousins from other teams.
Smith, 32, is past his prime, but in a designated edge-rushing role, he could contribute to the Atlanta Falcons' lackluster pass rush. The 10th-year veteran logged 4.5 sacks and 13 pressures in 2024, playing for the Green Bay Packers (nine games) and Steelers (eight games).
NFL team cap space information is provided by Over the Cap.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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