Early rumors in March claimed Kirk Cousins was waiting for a trade request after the NFL Draft. Now that the event is over, there might be some development we could see from this story.

However, an NFL insider sees that while Cousins is on a rumored trade block, the veteran quarterback might be stuck with the Atlanta Falcons longer.

Contrary to rumors surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft, no trade was made. Multiple quarterback-hungry teams addressed their needs with young prospects, effectively slamming the door on a possible Cousins deal — for now, at least.

Kirk Cousins' Huge Cap Charge Casts Shadow on Atlanta

NFL Trade Rumors: Kirk Cousins Might Stick Longer With Falcons, NFL Trade Rumors: Kirk Cousins Might Stick Longer With Falcons,
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ESPN's Marc Raimondi says that Cousins has no "natural landing spot" currently, and the Falcons are left with a $40 million cap charge for a quarterback who will probably be Michael Penix Jr.'s backup throughout the offseason. It is an unbelievable scenario for a franchise looking to move into the new era under Penix's leadership.

The Falcons are also in a pickle financially. Having a $40 million cap hit for a backup quarterback is not a desirable situation, particularly when clubs are trying to be stingy with salary space to compile competitive teams.

Cousins, who was supposed to be one of the more solid starters in the league a year ago, is now relegated to a backup position behind a highly touted rookie.

According to Bleacher Report, the choice to sign Penix Jr. was a signal of the Falcons' future plans, but Cousins' fully guaranteed deal made any hasty exit plan difficult. Without cooperative trade partners, Atlanta is now stuck with a season of an expensive insurance policy riding the bench.

Is the Pittsburgh Steelers a Last-Minute Savior?

There is one glimmer of hope: the Pittsburgh Steelers. If veteran Aaron Rodgers chooses to retire instead of signing with Pittsburgh, the Steelers might suddenly find themselves in dire need of a seasoned quarterback. With only Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard — a developmental prospect — on the roster, Pittsburgh might turn to the trade market to bolster its playoff prospects.

In that situation, Kirk Cousins might be an appealing choice. His experienced guidance and consistent play style would suit a team prepared to compete immediately. But unless Rodgers suddenly decides to retire, that option remains purely theoretical.

There's also a rumor that the Cleveland Browns would pursue Cousins after their meeting. However, insiders said that the discussion at Chipotle wasn't about "football."