The Green Bay Packers, throughout the last few decades, have prided themselves on being prepared. The backup quarterback spot is often seen as a placeholder role. However, the Packers, as an organization, have reached a point in their success with a backup who is capable of winning games. With Malik Willis’ recent departure, the team is in need.
Why Kirk Cousins Makes Sense as the Packers’ Backup Quarterback
Willis, after strong performances, signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract to become the starter in Miami for new head coach and former Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Kirk Cousins, who is now a free agent, could be an option, asserts Packers insider Matt Schneidman.
“Green Bay really values the position, which might make it unlikely that Desmond Ridder or Kyle McCord, the only other quarterbacks on the roster besides Love, are in the No. 2 role come Week 1.”
Ridder does have 18 career starts on his resume. Yet, with a 16:14 touchdown-to-interception ratio, that doesn’t fit the Green Bay scheme of ball protection.
Meanwhile, McCord has never taken an NFL snap. As a result, presumably better options exist.
“The idea of adding a proven veteran like Cousins, who can at least help the Packers tread water if Love goes down, might entice head coach Matt LaFleur.”
To his credit, Jordan Love appears to be a durable quarterback, missing just four games since becoming the full-time starter in 2023. In the 2024 season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, the signal-caller suffered a sprain of his medial collateral ligament. Basically, a serious knee sprain kept him sidelined.
Last season, a Week 16 concussion ended his regular season two games early. Although he managed to return for the playoffs, he had a four-touchdown passing day in a loss against the Chicago Bears.
Cousins turns 38 on Aug. 19. Combined with career earnings of $321,692,254, would he want to hold the clipboard, even if it’s on a team that is a favorite to make the playoffs? Schneidman provided insight as to why a fit in Green Bay could pan out.
“Cousins might (understandably) want to sign with a team whose starter is less entrenched than Love, but perhaps the idea of reuniting with his position coach from his first two years in the NFL (LaFleur) entices him, too.”
The history between LaFleur and Cousins could be a deciding factor. Washington drafted Cousins with pick No. 102 of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was supposed to serve as a backup to Robert Griffin III, whom the franchise selected in the first round that year.
Injuries curtailed Griffin’s career, and Cousins took over afterward. The two maintained communication over the years, and that could also help the Packers’ pursuit of the veteran.
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Willis played multiple games for the Packers. Given the limited sample size, he succeeded in Jordan Love’s absence.
During that span, he held down four top-10 spots in the weekly version of the PFSN NFL QB Impact Rankings. Granted, Cousins possesses a far different skill set; would he want to sit behind Love with a chance to make a deep playoff run?
