The upcoming 2025 season was expected to be another chapter in what could become a Hall of Fame career for Kirk Cousins. That still might happen—but perhaps not with the Atlanta Falcons.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons last offseason. His tenure in Atlanta started promisingly, with the Falcons jumping out to a 6-3 record and leading the NFC South. But the momentum didn’t last. Atlanta finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year.
Under normal circumstances, Cousins would likely get another opportunity to bounce back—especially after playing through injuries during the 2024 season that may have impacted his performance. However, the Falcons’ selection of Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick in last year’s draft signaled a shift in direction for the franchise—and for Cousins.
Despite comments from general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris suggesting they are comfortable keeping Cousins as the backup in 2025, the team could still seek to trade him.
That appears to be what Cousins wants as well. According to CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin, the 36-year-old quarterback has reportedly been seeking a trade for months.
One of the rumored destinations was his former team, the Minnesota Vikings, where Cousins played six seasons before signing with Atlanta. But that possibility now seems unlikely.
“The Minnesota Vikings were rumored as a potential reunion spot for the quarterback ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft,” Benjamin wrote. “That dream appears to be fully dead now: Not only did the Vikings acquire a new backup in Sam Howell during the draft, but Howell has since been issued Cousins’ old jersey — the same No. 8 he wore for six seasons as Minnesota’s starter.”
While the jersey swap doesn’t officially close the door, it does feel symbolic.
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
“That’s not to say Cousins is completely tied to No. 8; in fact, he’s worn No. 12 since signing with the Falcons in 2024,” Benjamin added. “Yet the digit was practically synonymous with Cousins during his time with the Vikings, and the veteran also donned No. 8 while playing for Washington from 2014-17, and at Michigan State from 2008-11.
“Howell’s arrival probably spelled the end of any potential Cousins homecoming, giving presumptive starter J.J. McCarthy an experienced backup. The fact he’ll wear Cousins’ old number may just be added confirmation. It’s also not entirely clear if Cousins would’ve waived his no-trade clause to facilitate a return to Minnesota, given that Vikings brass has been upfront about turning the top quarterback job over to McCarthy, the club’s 2024 first-round pick.”
The Vikings were also rumored to be early contenders in the Aaron Rodgers sweepstakes, with Rodgers reportedly open to a move to Minnesota. However, he remains a free agent, with the Pittsburgh Steelers still in the mix.
As for Cousins, his 2025 season remains a mystery. With the draft now behind him and training camp approaching, he could end up backing up Penix—or perhaps land elsewhere if a suitable trade materializes.
For now, Cousins remains on the roster and was present for the Falcons’ voluntary offseason program, which began April 22.
Read the full article here
