The Falcons’ decision to bench Kirk Cousins will re-trigger all those rumors about the quarterback potentially joining Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers.

If you’ve followed the San Francisco 49ers in any serious capacity since 2017, you’ll know the frequency of rumors suggesting head coach Kyle Shanahan will somehow try finding a way to land an elusive quarterback, Kirk Cousins.

For years, Shanahan has been tied to wanting Cousins. Only a year ago, when the signal-caller’s tenure with the Minnesota Vikings was coming to a close, even more suggestions poured out saying how Shanahan would go after his one-time protégé despite already having an up-and-coming Brock Purdy under center.

But Shanahan has never landed Cousins, either because the latter wasn’t available or the Niners apparently didn’t have the need.

However, the possibility of Cousins being available once more might just coincide with San Francisco potentially needing a new quarterback this offseason.

Falcons benching Kirk Cousins opens door to more 49ers rumors (it’s already starting)

Cousins’ start with his new team, the Atlanta Falcons, in 2024 went well. As of late, though, the veteran has struggled under center, prompting the dirty birds to start rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. heading into Week 16.

The writing was on the wall as far back as last April’s draft when Penix was selected early. But Cousins’ job was to fight of the looming Penix as long as he could.

That time seems to have passed.

Despite Cousins having a no-trade clause in his four-year deal with Atlanta, so trading him would have to be agreeable to all parties. That can complicate matters.

But, that’s where San Francisco apparently comes into play, and it was among the teams listed as potential Cousins trade suitors by Justin Melo of The Draft Network:

“We’re getting a little galaxy-brain here, but San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has always appreciated Cousins. Loose rumors have been linking him to the Bay Area-based club for years. With Brock Purdy’s contract negotiations slated for this summer, perhaps it’s within the realm of possibility that the 49ers intend to get creative this offseason.

Purdy is well-positioned to command $60 million per season in negotiations. That makes Cousins’ deal ($45 million APY) team-friendly by comparison. A Super Bowl continues to elude Shanahan’s 49ers, and 2024 is trending toward being a wasted campaign. Perhaps they’ll believe a veteran quarterback like Cousins is better capable of getting them over the hump.”

Provocative. But how likely is it?

How Brock Purdy complicates 49ers’ potential interest in Kirk Cousins

As Melo pointed out, Purdy and the Niners are poised to enter contract-extension talks this offseason, which could potentially result in him being among the highest-paid players in the league when all is said and done.

Does Shanahan feel Purdy warrants top money on the market? Or does the head coach finally want to take his best shot at landing Cousins, which would be the cheaper alternative?

Purdy has undergone a regression in 2024 after an MVP-caliber campaign the previous year, albeit one heavily influenced by a rash of injuries on offense. But, there’s no shortage of analysis out there suggesting how that won’t affect the final pick of the 2022 draft’s market value.

Plus, Purdy is still young and developing. Cousins, meanwhile, will turn 37 years old by the time 2025 rolls around.

No matter what, Cousins would be little more than a stopgap option for Shanahan and the 49ers. Not a long-term fixture.

Still, don’t expect the chatter about the Niners poking around the idea of trading for Cousins to go away anytime soon.

Those rumors are back now… again.