The Kirk Cousins saga has become a captivating tale in the NFL landscape, a storyline that fans and analysts just can’t ignore. It’s been a whirlwind since Cousins transitioned from the Minnesota Vikings to the Atlanta Falcons.
The buzz surrounding his move isn’t just because of his history; it’s underscored by the jaw-dropping four-year, $180 million contract featuring a staggering $50 million signing bonus and $100 million in guarantees. Oh, and let’s not forget that no-trade clause – a neat little wrinkle adding even more intrigue.
Fast forward to the NFL Draft, and Atlanta went all in, using their No. 8 pick on Michael Penix Jr., a talented quarterback from Washington. It’s a curious choice, to say the least, especially when considering the hefty investment already made in Cousins. The Falcons’ strategy appears as puzzling as an unsolved riddle, given the pressing roster needs elsewhere.
Cousins’ journey back from an Achilles injury that sidelined him in 2023 with the Vikings has been anything but smooth sailing. In Atlanta, the once-steady hand discovered himself benched, leading the Falcons to rue the day they made that blockbuster deal.
The dilemma now? Finding a trade partner ready to swallow a significant chunk of Cousins’ hefty salary while gaining his consent to waive that no-trade clause.
Enter the New Orleans Saints. The football world collectively did a double take when Saints quarterback Derek Carr hung up his cleats on May 10.
A lingering shoulder injury had impeded his play, and rather than facing surgery, retirement turned out to be his path forward. Currently, the Saints’ quarterback roster includes Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener, none of whom inspire overwhelming confidence as the franchise moves into the 2025 NFL season.
Logically, the Saints are on the hunt for a stable hand at the quarterback position, someone who can bridge the gap while they plot their long-term quarterback future. CBS Sports recently tossed New Orleans into the ring as a potential destination for Cousins, feeding the rumor mill.
Yet, Cousins isn’t the only name in the mix. The Saints could stick with their current crew, dip into free agency for veterans like Aaron Rodgers or Carson Wentz, or trade for new prospects such as Will Levis or Jameis Winston. Each option brings its own flavor to what could be a Cajun-style shake-up in the Bayou.
Right now, it seems the Falcons and Cousins are entwined in a stalemate. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings can rest easy, knowing they moved forward with a plan, albeit one that leans on the arms of Sam Darnold and J.J.
McCarthy. These younger, less expensive quarterbacks might not carry Cousins’ pedigree, but they come with a tantalizing potential under the salary cap constraints.
Atlanta’s predicament and the Saints’ quarterback conundrum ensure that Cousins’ story remains one to watch as the NFL offseason rolls on.
