Jun 3, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) shown in action on the field during Falcons OTA at the Falcons Training facility. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports On Tuesday evening, the Atlanta Falcons made the decision to bench quarterback Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins inked a four-year deal with the Falcons this past offseason, but his interceptions have been a massive problem lately, especially paired with the fact that he cannot find the end zone.
Meanwhile, Penix Jr. gives Atlanta an opportunity to compete for the NFC South crown while giving head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson a peek into what the future could look like.
The Falcons drafted Penix Jr. out of Washington with the No. 8 overall selection despite having Cousins under contract. They’re clearly high on him, which means Cousins will likely be moved to a new team in 2025.
These five teams could be landing spots for Cousins next year:
1. Cleveland Browns
The Browns are currently elbow-deep in one of the worst quarterback situations that the NFL has ever seen. That’s saying something for an organization that has been wandering the quarterback desert since returning in 1999.
They owe Deshaun Watson over $170 million in dead cap. He’s been so bad that there’s just no way they can continue to start him.
On Tuesday, the Browns benched Watson’s replacement, Jameis Winston, in favor of Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who they are high on but view as a project.
The Browns are no stranger to restructuring contracts, as that’s what has gotten them into this nightmare. They would be able to afford Cousins by restructuring his contract after a trade.
Defensively, the Browns show flashes of a team that looks ready to compete for the playoffs. Cousins has familiarity with Kevin Stefanski because of their success together with the Minnesota Vikings.
As long as the Browns would not be scared of trading a mid-round draft pick for a player that might be washed up, this move could make a lot of sense.
2. New York Giants
New York Giants co-owner John Mara (left) and New York Giants General Manager, Joe Schoen, speak with New York Giants Head Coach, Brian Daboll, at MetLife Stadium before their team hosts the New England Patriots, Sunday, November 26, 2023. PHOTO USA TODAY SPORTS IMAGES. The Giants have to draft a quarterback. If the NFL Draft were to commence after Week 15, the Giants would have the No. 2 overall pick, seemingly primed to select Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward as their quarterback of the future.
The Giants need to lock in on this tank. They cannot afford to accidentally beat the Falcons, Colts or Eagles.
Regardless of their plans in the draft, the Giants could take a similar approach as the Falcons just did. Draft their QB of the future and leave him on the bench to learn from a restructured Cousins.
3. New York Jets
Dec 15, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (17) celebrates with running back Braelon Allen (0) after scoring a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Oh yeah, we’re staying in the Big Apple.
The Jets were ready to compete in a very crowded AFC when they pulled off the trade for Aaron Rodgers. A stout defense led by Robert Saleh (who has since been fired) and a couple of young, premier offensive weapons made the Jets look primed to at least be a playoff team.
Well, that did not happen. A new regime will eventually be hired. While the Jets could eventually have their sights set on a rookie quarterback to replace Rodgers, swapping him out with Cousins could at least give them a chance to compete sooner than later and capitalize on the window that they thought was open just a few short years ago.
4. Tennessee Titans
Nov 24, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) runs off the field after throwing a touchdown pass against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images The Titans find themselves in a similar situation as the Giants, where it seems like they have to draft a rookie quarterback. They’ve benched Will Levis 100 times in the last two seasons, and Mason Rudolph can’t be the answer, either.
But we’ve heard all the buzz about how this could be a weak quarterback class. The Titans successfully revived Ryan Tannehill’s career and squeezed all of the juice out of that lemon. They have an opportunity to do the same exact thing with Cousins.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
Dec 8, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) tackles Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (right) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Let’s get crazy for a second, shall we?
The Steelers are currently primed to win the AFC North, which nobody saw coming to start the season. Russell Wilson took the baton from Justin Fields, and the Steelers are winning their own way.
While they look to be a playoff lock, does anybody have Wilson’s Steelers as Super Bowl contenders? Probably not. When they inevitably fall short in the playoffs, they will be reminded why Wilson and Fields are both on one-year contracts.
Maybe both of those QBs were just rentals. Their culture is so sound that they could insert Cousins and be ready to win the division again next year. It’s just the Steeler Way.