The Atlanta Falcons made an intriguing move on Monday by adding quarterback Easton Stick to their roster — a decision that only adds fuel to the speculation that Kirk Cousins may soon be on the move.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons have been quietly holding conversations with teams across the league regarding a potential Cousins trade. But there’s a catch: the asking price might be too steep for most suitors.
“Atlanta has asked for any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $37.5 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins’ contract,” Schefter reported. “To date, no team has been willing to do that, and no team is expected to be willing to. But what happens this weekend — and which franchises come out of the draft with or without rookie quarterbacks — could influence how much guaranteed money a team might be willing to absorb on Cousins’ contract.”
The $20 million demand is bold, especially considering Cousins is coming off an Achilles injury and will be 37 years old when the 2025 season begins. However, if a quarterback-needy team misses out during the draft, Atlanta’s leverage could shift quickly.
One potential destination floated by Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport is a return to Minnesota, where Cousins spent six seasons and started 88 games before leaving in free agency.
Proposed trade:
Falcons receive: 2026 fifth-round pick, 2027 sixth-round pick
Vikings receive: QB Kirk Cousins, 2026 seventh-round pick
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“Who says you can’t go home again?” Davenport wrote. “With Sam Darnold now in Seattle and second-year pro J.J. McCarthy coming off a major knee injury, there has been some speculation that Minnesota might consider a reunion with Cousins.
“Sure, it could be awkward to see Cousins return to the Twin Cities. And it’s not known if the Vikes might view Cousins as a mentor to McCarthy or legitimate competition to start. But the Vikings view themselves as contenders after winning 14 games last year. Entering the 2025 season with a completely unproven quarterback and no Plan B behind him is a risk.”
Schefter also named the Steelers alongside the Vikings as a team that may be willing to take on roughly $10 million of Cousins’ remaining guarantees — which would impact the draft compensation Atlanta could receive in return.
The Falcons currently have just five picks in this year’s draft, so adding future selections, like a 2026 fifth-rounder and 2027 sixth-rounder, wouldn’t help their immediate needs. If a deal with Minnesota does materialize, it would almost certainly require the Vikings to absorb a sizable chunk of Cousins’ remaining salary.