The fallout between quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons happened extremely quickly. After signing a $180 million contract barely a year ago, the 36-year-old is expected to find a new home, but the Falcons are playing hardball.
With the NFL draft right around the corner, there are several teams still needing to iron out their future at quarterback. Kirk Cousins could be a viable solution for multiple franchises, including his former-team, but the Atlanta Falcons are not willing to simply let him go. They want to make some sort of a return, and interested teams have, so far, been unwilling to pay the price.
Atlanta Falcons asking price for Kirk Cousins frustrating teams
Of the quarterback-needy teams in the NFL, only a couple are set up to win right now. Those tend to be the teams to look for a veteran quarterback as opposed to starting from scratch with a rookie, which means Kirk Cousins could be the solution.
The seemingly obvious choice is the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have elite pieces on defense, they’ve put draft capital into their offensive line, and they just made a significant trade for D.K. Metcalf ahead of the 2025 season. The piece missing is the quarterback.
Aaron Rodgers has been to Pittsburgh and visited with the Steelers, and claimed just last week that he would play in 2025 for $10 million. The 41 year old is one option, while Kirk Cousins is five years younger and could serve the franchise for multiple seasons.
The sticking point is the contract Atlanta committed to Cousins just last year. While it was a four year $180 million deal, Cousins only has $45 million left in guarantees. Atlanta want whichever team that trades for Kirk Cousins to pay $20 million of that contract.
A quarterback solution is more likely post-NFL draft
So far, according to ESPN , teams have offered to pay around $10 million. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, that would mean spending the same amount they would on Aaron Rodgers, plus giving up draft capital to prize Kirk Cousins away of Atlanta.
The second alternative would be the Minnesota Vikings, allowing Kirk Cousins to return to play for Kevin O’Connell, where he had the best years of his career that earned him that contract in Atlanta in the first place.
The Vikings already have their future in the building, but J.J. McCarthy is yet to play a snap in the NFL. With a team that could win right now guided by a great coaching staff and elite talent on the field, the Vikings may rather put their trust in a veteran, particularly one who’s played for the franchise before with great success.
Either way, it now seems more likely that any trade for Kirk Cousins would occur after the 2025 NFL draft. That makes sense considering the fluidity of opinions on the quarterback class. The Pittsburgh Steelers had a great visit with Shedeur Sanders, but they could be too far down in the first round to land him.
If they don’t get the rookie they want, Pittsburgh will turn its attention to either Rodgers or Cousins.
There may still be other teams in play, all depending on the cost Atlanta eventually agrees on to let the veteran leave.
-1744769404-q80.webp "Patriots Trade Number Four Pick in New Mock Draft")
