The biggest storyline surrounding the Atlanta Falcons this offseason has been the fate of quarterback Kirk Cousins. The Falcons have made their intention to keep Cousins as their backup for 2025 very clear. However, the 36-year-old would prefer to be a team's starting quarterback in 2025.
One team Cousins has been linked to, given his history with the head coach and their need at quarterback, is the Cleveland Browns. About two weeks ago, he was spotted at a Chipotle in Cleveland, which sparked people on the internet to speculate he was meeting with the Browns.
Be that as it may, nothing was ever confirmed, so for all we know, Cousins was in Cleveland simply because he wanted to be. That said, it seems as though the discussion about the Cousins to the Browns has died down a bit. As a result, not many teams remain if Atlanta does come around to the idea of a trade.
One of the last possible destinations for Cousins happens to be the Browns' division rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers. Let's examine how viable this trade is.
Could Kirk Cousins End Up on the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025?
Given how things are trending, it's becoming more and more clear that the Tennessee Titans are likely going to draft Cam Ward No.1 overall. Therefore, the Steelers are the only team besides the Browns that still has a hole to fill at quarterback. While Aaron Rodgers has been in talks with Pittsburgh, no deal has been finalized yet, and it seems that the organization is getting tired of waiting.
Cousins, who is also a veteran, is their next best option in 2025. Like Rodgers, this will be Cousins' second season back from a torn Achilles. So, the 36-year-old could absolutely have a bounce-back season and finally help Pittsburgh make it past the wild card round.
Nevertheless, according to a recent report, a Cousins trade may be off the table for Pittsburgh.
"The Steelers called and kicked the tires early, but my understanding is that Arthur Smith, being the former head coach in Atlanta, still knows plenty of people in that building and kind of got the word on where things are with Kirk in terms of his play and where he’s at in terms of his play as a quarterback. The Steelers, obviously, have fallen off."James Palmer
Although that's not the best sign for the former Michigan State QB, it shouldn't totally eliminate the Steelers yet. Pittsburgh may get desperate for a quarterback if Rodgers doesn't sign and they are unable to draft a viable starter.
Still, it wouldn't be a surprise if Cousins ended up staying in Atlanta in 2025.