Jets Rumors: Kirk Cousins Linked to NY If Falcons Cut QB; Sam Darnold 'Not Realistic'

The New York Jets could target Kirk Cousins as the team's starting quarterback for the 2025 season.

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic listed the Atlanta Falcons passer as a player to "keep an eye on" for New York "if the Falcons actually wind up releasing him."

While former Jets quarterback Sam Darnold will be a free agent, he's "not believed to be a realistic target" given his projected salary and the "unlikelihood" he'd want to return to his old team (via Rosenblatt).

New York will be looking for a new starter for the 2025 season after moving on from Aaron Rodgers at the end of its 2024 campaign.

Cousins was benched by the Falcons over the final three weeks of the 2024 season, as rookie signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. replaced him.

ESPN's Adam Schefter initially reported that Atlanta was expected to cut Cousins before his $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot indicated that Cousins would remain with the team for the foreseeable future at the 2025 NFL scouting combine, though (via NFL Network's Mike Garafolo).

The 36-year-old didn't look comfortable in the pocket throughout his first year in Atlanta after coming back from an Achilles tear that ended his 2023 season.

In 14 starts with the Falcons, Cousins completed 66.9 percent of his throws for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also tossed 16 interceptions, tied for the most in the NFL.

Darnold fared much better last season, throwing for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns while making the first Pro Bowl appearance of his career. A free-agency reunion with the Jets doesn't appear likely.

As New York attempts to end the NFL's longest active playoff drought in 2025, Cousins could be an option for the team as a free agent if he's cut by the Falcons.