Source: Falcons Meet with Bears on Justin Fields Trade, Ponder Signing Kirk Cousins
INDIANAPOLIS -- The Atlanta Falcons' pursuit for a new franchise quarterback found an extra gear at the NFL Combine.
Apart from meeting with many of the top signal callers in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Falcons were busy contemplating options already in the league.
Here's what sources told SI's Falcon Report during the week in Indianapolis ...
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center.
Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons and Bears' brass met in the middle of the week, with a trade of Chicago quarterback Justin Fields being a hot commodity.
Fields, a native of Kennesaw, Georgia, played in 13 games for the Bears last season, completing 61.4 percent of his passes for 2,562 yards, 16 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed for 657 yards and four touchdowns.
Atlanta reportedly checked in with Chicago ahead of the week but then held in-person talks as general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Raheem Morris continue to do their due diligence.
It's unclear how the conversation went - but the buzz about Atlanta's next starting quarterback wasn't Fields.
Instead, there was more talk inside league circles of the Falcons' pursuit of Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, who's poised to hit free agency.
The 35-year-old Cousins suffered a torn Achilles in Week 8, but he was in the midst of a strong campaign, throwing for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions while hitting 69.5 percent of his attempts.
The Athletic reported last week the Falcons feel Cousins is "the type of player who moves them from a fringe playoff team to a contender," and this internal belief is met with outside expectations for a considerable push.
And so, while much of the early-offseason buzz surrounding Atlanta's quarterback situation centered around Fields, it's Cousins who's emerging as the most likely option as decision day nears.
As for draft prospects, SI's Falcon Report has already reported the Falcons are quite high on LSU's Jayden Daniels, with some in the building having him as the draft's top passer.
Fontenot and Morris said at the Combine they're keeping all options open - but with legal tampering beginning next Monday, March 11, and free agency officially opening at 4 p.m. on March 13, Atlanta's decision needs to come quickly.
And as things stand, more buzz is heading towards the Falcons pairing with Cousins.
