Total Pro Sports
Barring any surprises, Kirk Cousins will open up the 2025 NFL season as the league’s most expensive backup quarterback.
The Atlanta Falcons handed Cousins a four-year, $180 million deal in 2024 free agency that included $100 million in guaranteed money. But after 15 inconsistent stars, Cousins was benched late last season in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Atlanta head coach Raheem Morris has been adamant that Penix is their Week 1 starter. Kirk Cousins has been the subject of offseason trade rumors, but the Falcons never found a taker for his contract.
Cousins has also expressed his frustrations with Atlanta drafting Penix eighth overall last year. In Netflix’s new “Quarterback” season, Cousins was heard admitting that he felt misled by the organization, and that he may have gone elsewhere if he had known their plans.
#Falcons QB Kirk Cousins revealed on Netflix’s “Quarterback” that he felt misled by the organization when they drafted Michael Penix Jr. last year:
“Certainly, if I had that information around free agency, it would’ve affected my decision. I had no reason to leave Minnesota,… pic.twitter.com/ymKWXWFViH
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 8, 2025
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski floated the Indianapolis Colts as a possible landing spot for Kirk Cousins, citing the uncertainty of 2023 first-round pick Anthony Richardson and free agent signing Daniel Jones:
“If Richardson is not ready for the start of training camp and experiences any kind of setback, the Colts should reassess the situation because a lot is riding on this season. Ballard and Steichen could well be entering a make-or-break campaign.
Would they rather have Jones or Cousins trying to save their jobs? The answer seems obvious, even if Indianapolis needs to take on a chunk of the latter’s contract and likely surrender a future asset in return.”
The 23-year-old Richardson was limited to four games in his 2023 rookie year because of injury. Inconsistent production as a sophomore led to him being benched in favor of veteran Joe Flacco, as Richardson finished the year with eight touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Jones had one good year with the New York Giants in 2022, but he was released last season with two full years remaining on his $160 million deal.
If Colts GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen don’t feel confident with Richardson and Jones, the club should certainly explore a trade for Cousins.
He’ll have been nearly two years removed from surgery on his torn Achilles, so there’s reason to believe Cousins can regain his Pro Bowl form. Also, he’d be playing with a deep set of playmakers led by Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and prized rookie tight end Tyler Warren.
