Kirk Cousins, Nick Chubb's Best Landing Spots After 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is officially wrapped up, and while many rookies have found their new homes, there are still some big-name veterans whose futures remain undecided.

Two of those big names are Atlanta quarterback Kirk Cousins and free agent running back Nick Chubb.

Kirk Cousins

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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 16, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

With the Atlanta Falcons likely to move forward with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center, Cousins is reportedly seeking a fresh start elsewhere.

Turning 37 ahead of the new season, Cousins has expressed a desire to be released in order to pursue opportunities elsewhere. However, per ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Atlanta has no interest in granting that request.

In what is projected to be his lone season in Atlanta, after signing a four-year, $180 million contract last offseason that included a no-trade clause, Cousins threw for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns on a 66.9 percent completion rate.

However, he finished the season on a five-game stretch that saw him throw just one touchdown compared nine interceptions before being benched for Penix Jr.

If the Falcons and Cousins can work something out via trade ahead of the season, there are a handful of teams that could benefit from his veteran presence.

Here are some potential landing spots for the four-time Pro Bowler.

Pittsburgh Steelers

As the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on the opportunity to draft a quarterback early in the 2025 draft, they opted for Ohio State’s Will Howard in the sixth round, recognizing the need for a fallback if negotiations with veteran Aaron Rodgers fall through.

Steelers president Art Rooney II said on Friday, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, that they “may get word soon” on Rodgers' decision, but he’s “not going to forecast the ifs and whens regarding not only him, but any other potential free agent.”

Meanwhile, it’s clear that Cousins wants to move on from the Falcons and would bring a similar veteran presence to what Rodgers would — without the Super Bowl ring — if he were not to sign.

New Orleans Saints

After the Saints drafted Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the NFL Draft, speculation continued to swirl about the future of veteran Derek Carr.

Carr has been dealing with a shoulder injury, which the staff in New Orleans has kept under wraps, noting they will "let that process play itself out," per ESPN.

Carr has missed voluntary offseason activities and if he remains absent during spring practices, the team would be left solely with its rookie draft pick and second-year player Spencer Rattler at the helm, leaving the perfect spot for Cousins to move in.

Cleveland Browns

Despite the Browns selecting back-to-back quarterbacks in Oregon's Dillon Gabriel and Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, neither is expected to step into a starting role right away.

The quarterback room is full as of now with Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco and an injured Deshaun Watson, but none of these quarterbacks are ones a franchise would want to risk it all on.

A trade for the veteran Pro Bowler would be the best option to mentor the team’s newest draft picks, and he would have a chance at securing a starting position.

Nick Chubb

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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) rushes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Nick Chubb entered free agency this offseason as the Cleveland Browns showed no movement in regard to re-signing the four-time Pro Bowler ahead of the 2025 campaign. 

Further questions were raised after the Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins, a running back out of Ohio State with their 36th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

Limited to just eight games in the 2024 season after a devastating knee injury in September of 2023, Chubb still managed 332 yards and three touchdowns last season. 

After the Browns’ draft selection, NFL Insider Ian Rappaport commented on the future of Chubb in Cleveland. 

“This does not necessarily mean Nick Chubb's tenure in Cleveland is over. The two sides have had recent dialogue and the door is open,” Rapoport wrote.

With the addition of Judkins and the 25-year-old Jerome Ford on the Cleveland roster coupled with the uncertainty of Chubbs’ placement in Cleveland, here are some landing spots he could wind up. 

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs’ running back depth took a hit last season, with Isiah Pacheco suffering a broken leg early in the year, limiting him to just seven games and 310 yards.

Mid-level production from Kareem Hunt and third-stringer Elijah Mitchell left a hole at the running back position during their chase for a fourth Super Bowl with their core starters. The addition of another veteran like Chubb would be perfect for the team’s golden years streak.

Chicago Bears

After the Bears failed to make the expected push for Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the draft — and did not make a running back pick until midway in the seventh — the door remains open for Chubb to join a stellar D’Andre Swift in Chicago. 

Heading into his second season with the Bears, Swift would be the clear-cut first option, but the team does not have a very strong running back room behind him. Roschon Johnson can find the end zone on short runs but is not the best field runner. 

Chubb would be the much-needed veteran presence on the Bears running back team that has a promising young core.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Adding depth to the backfield with Chubb in Pittsburgh, behind Jaylen Warren following the departure of Najee Harris to the Los Angeles Chargers, would allow Chubb to give Warren some breathing room and fresh legs during his time on the field.

Chubb’s experience in the AFC North, battling tough defenses in harsh late-season conditions, would make him a natural fit.