NFL Insider Drops Update on Kirk Cousins’ Future After Aaron Rodgers’ Decision To Sign With Steelers

With Aaron Rodgers’ decision extending into June, his choice became strangely linked to another name potentially on the market: Kirk Cousins. The two quarterbacks were in similar situations last season. While Cousins lost his starting job, Rodgers had to adjust to a new team entirely.

Before his signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers became official, plenty of speculation connected the Atlanta Falcons’ backup to the team. Once Rodgers signed with the Steelers, though, one insider shared the latest scoop on Cousins’ next chapter.

Where Does Kirk Cousins Land After Aaron Rodgers’ Signing With Pittsburgh Steelers?

Last year, the Falcons gave the former Minnesota Vikings star a four-year, $180 million contract, even though a torn Achilles put an early end to his 2023 season. The gamble didn’t pay off, as Cousins struggled with consistency.

A rough four-week stretch, where he threw eight interceptions and didn’t score a single touchdown, sealed his fate. First-round pick Michael Penix Jr. stepped in and took over the starting job.

Going into the 2025 season, Penix is expected to remain the starter, which makes Cousins the most expensive backup in the league by a wide margin. For a quarterback who ranked 24th on PFSN’s QB+ metric, the price tag is hard to justify.

Still, for a team with no clear answer under center, a trade could be worth exploring if they think they can get the Vikings’ version of Cousins. That’s part of the reason Pittsburgh was linked to him before landing Rodgers.

During an appearance on “Unsportsmanlike Radio” on ESPN, NFL insider Dan Graziano shared what the future might hold for the 36-year-old: “He backs up Michael Penix or maybe, they eventually trade him.

“There’s a long time between now and the start of the season. People will get hurt. Someone got hurt in Indianapolis yesterday (Anthony Richardson), circumstances change at that position, and maybe make a team more willing to pay more than they wanted to pay. So, I wouldn’t rule it out completely.”

Now that Aaron Rodgers is signed, what happens to Kirk Cousins? @DanGrazianoESPN | @EvCoRadio pic.twitter.com/Zajb0e9KjL

— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) June 6, 2025

It’s still unclear how this all plays out for Cousins. But a team like his old one, the Minnesota Vikings, could come calling if rookie J.J. McCarthy doesn’t look ready. They may decide the juice isn’t worth the squeeze and consider reuniting with Cousins.

With mandatory minicamps less than a week away, the ramp-up for the 2025 season is underway. As of now, Cousins remains QB2 for the Falcons, backing up Penix.

Still, it wouldn’t be shocking if he ends up as a Week 1 starter somewhere else.