Kirk Cousins Is a Finalist for One Job
· Yahoo Sports
Kirk Cousins quarterbacked the Minnesota Vikings for six years, but his following stint with the Atlanta Falcons ended in a divorce after only two seasons. Back on the market, Cousins is still looking for his next team. The Los Angeles Rams are interested in his services.
At the annual league meeting, Rams head coach Sean McVay told the media that Cousins is on his list of backup quarterback candidates, a list with only two names: Cousins and Jimmy Garoppolo.
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The latter was McVay’s backup last season, and Cousins was his quarterback in Washington before McVay became the head coach of the Rams. Garoppolo is seemingly the first choice.
Sep 13, 2015; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) talks with Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay before the game between the Washington Redskins and the Miami Dolphins at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY SportsMcVay said, “I’d love to have Jimmy Garoppolo back with us. … Is there an opportunity if it’s not Jimmy, that it’s Kirk Cousins? Of course, I’d love to see what that looks like. Those are two guys we’ve talked about. I’ve communicated with Kirk and (his agent) Mike McCartney, and those are things we’re very interested in possibly exploring. But again, it’s really premature. I know Kirk has some other options and opportunities as well. But he’s a guy I have familiarity with, history and a lot of reverence for.”
McVay was on Washington’s coaching staff from 2010 through 2016, serving as the offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016. Cousins started some games in 2014 and became the full-time starter in 2015.
The four-time Pro Bowler has recently explored the broadcasting angle, working in the studio during the playoffs in back-to-back years and he’s quite good at it. Aside from other franchises pursuing him, networks might offer him some cash, too.
Garoppolo’s return isn’t likely, McVay said: “At this point, when there hasn’t been a decision, it feels less likely than likely. But I don’t want to rule that out.”
Dec 14, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is seen after the game against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesMatthew Stafford is coming off an MVP season and is the unquestioned starter. At the age of 38 and with nagging injury problems, having a decent QB2 is crucial for an operation as talented as the Rams. McVay’s squad is one of the few championship-caliber rosters, even with a backup under center.
Cousins signed a massive four-year, $180 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons in the 2024 offseason. The Falcons selected Michael Penix with a top 10 pick just weeks later and eventually benched Cousins for the rookie later in their first season in Atlanta. After one season as an expensive backup, the Falcons decided to move on from Cousins this offseason and released him.
The veteran could’ve been an option for the few openings, but the Jets acquired Geno Smith, the Vikings Kyler Murray and the Cardinals moved forward with Jacoby Brissett. Cousins’ only chance at a starting job would be with the Pittsburgh Steelers or the Cleveland Browns, and he’s not the first choice, it appears.
The Rams are a prime backup destination, with a strong defense and offensive support to keep the team competitive with a reserve passer.
Cousins arrived in Minnesota in 2018 and was supposed to be the missing piece in a Super Bowl chase. Unfortunately, he needed a year to click with his new team and by the time he did, the championship-caliber defense had already lost some juice. The club advanced to the divisional round in 2019, but was no match for the 49ers.
Dec 7, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the Seattle Seahawks in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesIn 2020 and 2021, the defenses were the main culprits. Following Mike Zimmer’s dismissal, the Vikings suddenly won 13 games with Kevin O’Connell, but were bounced in the first round of the playoffs. Right when the team was heating up in 2023, Cousins suffered his only major injury in Minnesota. The torn Achilles ended his tenure with the Vikings, as he left a few months later.
Ultimately, Cousins mostly played well, but the combination never managed to get the squad over the hump or even close to it. The veteran played in 88 games with the Vikings, throwing for over 23,000 yards and 171 touchdowns, ranking him 3rd and 2nd, respectively, in franchise history.
Cousins will turn 38 in the summer.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.