The Atlanta Falcons have found their guy in Michael Penix Jr.—a surprising development considering the situation just a year ago. Back then, the Falcons had just signed Kirk Cousins to a $180 million deal in free agency, a contract that clearly signaled he would be the starting quarterback. And that’s exactly what happened—until Penix took over the job.
Now, the Falcons are exploring potential suitors to take on Cousins’ hefty contract. But as the offseason progresses, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a team in need of a veteran quarterback—especially since Cousins has a no-trade clause.
“Realistically, at this point, it seems like the two possible exit doors for Cousins open if the Steelers don’t land Rodgers or another quarterback gets hurt somewhere,” Albert Breer wrote. “But even if there’s an injury, it’d have to happen before the trade deadline. And there’s a chance that Cousins wouldn’t want to uproot his family—and could thus block a trade if he doesn’t like the destination.”
The Steelers are currently favored to sign Aaron Rodgers, but if that doesn’t materialize, Pittsburgh could become a strong landing spot for Cousins—particularly given the opportunity to start. However, another potential suitor exists in the AFC if things go south: the Indianapolis Colts.
“Indy could turn to Cousins if the Daniel Jones/Anthony Richardson QB competition goes awry,” Kristopher Knox wrote.
Ultimately, Cousins just wants the chance to be a starting quarterback again—and that opportunity could arise in Indianapolis, especially considering their quarterback room has been ranked among the league’s weakest.
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“In a discussion about the team’s QB room, Kanell labeled it as potentially his 'least favorite' in the league,” Joshua Rosenblum wrote.
If a trade were to happen, Cousins would immediately bring the most experience to the group. However, it appears any move would likely depend on how the Colts evaluate their quarterback situation during training camp.