Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is down but not out.
On Tuesday, Atlanta benched the 13-year veteran less than one season into a four-year, $180 million contract he signed in March. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. will start in his place.
In a story published Wednesday, ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler noted that Cousins’ Falcons career is “effectively over.”
The move is costly for the Falcons and underscores how poorly Cousins has played recently. In his past five starts, he has thrown one touchdown pass and nine interceptions.
The Falcons are essentially paying him $90 million for less than a whole season — $62.5 million this season in salary and bonuses, plus his $27.5 million 2025 salary.
But that’s partly why he could be attractive to quarterback-needy teams this offseason. With Atlanta paying him next year, Cousins can sign with another team on a one-year, veteran’s minimum deal. And with another offseason to rehab from his 2023 Achilles injury, he might play much better next season.
Here are five teams that could be in play for Cousins.
5. Minnesota Vikings
Let’s start with the case for Cousins returning to Minnesota.
The Vikings might be unable to keep up with a bidding war for 2024 starter Sam Darnold, who is a 2025 unrestricted free agent.
Rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy is in line to be his successor. However, coming off a season-ending knee injury during the preseason, McCarthy could sit behind Cousins, who could be an ideal bridge quarterback. Or he could be McCarthy’s backup.
Cousins would have a much better chance of being a starter elsewhere, but if he settles into his backup role in Atlanta, he might not have an issue returning north and riding the bench.
4. Tennessee Titans
It’s hard to see Will Levis coming back from being benched for Mason Rudolph.
Titans head coach Brian Callahan may have already seen enough of the 2023 second-round pick, who threw three interceptions (including his league-leading fourth pick-six) against the Bengals in a 37-27 Week 15 loss.
Tennessee was one of the more aggressive teams during the offseason, signing running back Tony Pollard (three years, $21.8 million) and wide receiver Calvin Ridley (four years, $92 million) as free agents and trading with the Chiefs for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and then signing him to a four-year, $76.4 million extension.
The Titans need an upgrade at quarterback, and a healthy Cousins would be that over Levis or Rudolph.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have already turned one team’s trash into treasure. If any organization could do it again, it would be Pittsburgh.
The Steelers benefited from Denver’s decision to cut Russell Wilson two years into a five-year, $242.6 million contract this offseason.
Wilson has helped lead Pittsburgh to first in the AFC North, throwing for 1,912 yards, 13 touchdowns and three interceptions in eight starts. His 103 passer rating is his best since his final season with the Seahawks (2021).
The Steelers are only on the hook for 3.1 percent of Wilson’s $39 million 2024 salary ($1.2 million) and could reach a similar agreement with Cousins if Wilson and backup Justin Fields leave in free agency.
2. Cleveland Browns
Dorian Thompson-Robinson hopes to prove he can be Cleveland’s 2025 starter with his end-of-season audition.
On Tuesday, head coach Kevin Stefanski benched Jameis Winston, who has thrown 12 interceptions in seven starts, for the second-year pro, who hasn’t shown much in 12 career appearances. Thompson-Robinson is 75-of-146 (51.4 percent) for 540 yards (3.7 yards per attempt), one touchdown and seven interceptions.
The Browns are stuck in an impossible situation with Deshaun Watson, who is too awful to play but too costly to cut. Cousins could be a massive gift.
As cheap as Cousins will be, Cleveland could keep him and Watson on its roster.
If the Browns retain Stefanski, Cousins would make even more sense. Stefanski was Cousins’ quarterbacks coach (2018) and offensive coordinator (2019) in the QB’s first two seasons with the Vikings.
1. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have been here before. In the years following former quarterback Andrew Luck’s shock retirement, Indianapolis spent seasons running with veteran, stopgap quarterback options, including Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan.
The Anthony Richardson era has failed to get off the ground, potentially putting the Colts in a position to revert to their old ways.
Richardson has thrown for 1,683 yards (6.7 yards per attempt), seven touchdowns (and 11 interceptions) and posted a terrible 47 percent completion percentage.
Jonathan Taylor is one of the league’s best backs (as long as he remembers to hold on to the football). Entering Week 16, the Colts are the only team to have three wide receivers with at least 600 receiving yards (Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr.). (h/t Stathead)
Indianapolis’ cupboard isn’t bare. Cousins might be able to wring more out of the Colts’ talent.
