One Non-Jets Team Who Could Be a Kirk Cousins Trade Suitor
With each passing week where the Vikings lose despite big numbers from Kirk Cousins and the Jets lose because of Zach Wilson's poor play, speculation about a trade between the two teams continues to grow.
It makes sense; Wilson has quickly proven that he is not capable of stepping in for the injured Aaron Rodgers and leading a Super Bowl-caliber roster to victories. Cousins, who leads the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, is set to hit free agency next spring. The Vikings aren't giving up on their season yet, but at some point, would they consider approaching Cousins about waiving his no-trade clause and turning the page towards 2024?
Here's another thing to ponder: What if the Jets aren't the only potential suitor in a Cousins trade? It's possible that New York will go another route at quarterback (they brought in Trevor Siemian on Tuesday, for what that's worth) or fall out of contention entirely before the Vikings decide to pivot.
For a few reasons, the Atlanta Falcons are worth keeping in mind as a dark horse team that could consider trading for Cousins.
Three weeks into the season, the Falcons are 2-1 despite 2022 third-round pick Desmond Ridder ranking 29th in QBR. He plays in a run-heavy offense, but Ridder has completed just 62.5 percent of his passes for 553 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception.
Desmond Ridder has just two passing touchdowns in three games for the Falcons.
In a wide-open NFC South, the Falcons could theoretically choose to pursue an upgrade at quarterback at some point. Head coach Arthur Smith was previously with the Titans, where he coached a player who has been compared to Cousins quite a bit over the years: Ryan Tannehill. Adding Cousins to an offense featuring Bijan Robinson, Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and one of the league's best offensive lines could allow the Falcons to become more balanced in their attack.
Adding Cousins to the Falcons wouldn't necessarily make them a contender the same way it would for the Jets, but they could certainly make a run to the playoffs while evaluating if the 35-year-old quarterback is a fit for their future.
Plus, Cousins might be open to waiving his clause and agreeing to a trade to Atlanta because of his ties to the area. His wife Julie is from the area, the two were married there, and their family still spends time there in the offseason.
It's a longshot, to be clear, but crazier things have happened.
If the Vikings do eventually decide to ask Cousins if he'd waive his no-trade clause, the Jets are the most logical suitor, but the Falcons may not be all that far behind. It's difficult to think of another team that would make sense, barring an injury.
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