Browns’ bold signing could blitz all Cousins trade buzz.
The Atlanta Falcons appear ready to usher in the Michael Penix Jr. era, but they remain entangled in a difficult situation with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. Signed to a massive contract, Cousins is now slated to begin the season as a backup, despite his status as one of the league’s highest-paid players.
His value has plummeted after a season in which he threw for 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns but also led the NFL with 16 interceptions — a sharp regression for a quarterback who had been fairly careful with the ball in recent years. A torn Achilles only added to concerns about his mobility and long-term outlook.
Though the Cleveland Browns were mentioned as a potential landing spot due to Cousins’ past connection with head coach Kevin Stefanski, the team seems to be heading in a different direction. The Browns are reportedly targeting Colorado star Travis Hunter with the No. 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and have brought back veteran Joe Flacco while acquiring Kenny Pickett to shore up their quarterback room. While they may still draft a QB, Cousins’ age, injury history, and expensive contract make a trade to Cleveland highly unlikely.
Atlanta structured Cousins’ contract so that they could move on after this season, thanks to most of the guaranteed money being front-loaded. However, unless a team unexpectedly offers him a starting role in 2025, Cousins’ NFL future is uncertain. With his 37th birthday approaching and his athleticism diminished, his career may be nearing its end. Meanwhile, the Falcons are left dealing with the fallout of a questionable signing — stuck with a declining, costly backup as they try to build around their rookie quarterback and move forward.
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