Falcons Hit with Setback in Kirk Cousins Trade Pursuit

Falcons Take a Hit in Kirk Cousins Trade Talks

The Atlanta Falcons may have just lost their top trade partner for quarterback Kirk Cousins, as the Cleveland Browns are reportedly no longer in the market.

After the 2024 season, Falcons GM Terry Fontenot said the team was comfortable keeping Cousins as a backup. That scenario is looking more likely after Friday’s news.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, veteran QB Joe Flacco has signed a one-year, $4 million deal to return to the Browns — the team he led to the playoffs in 2023 — after a brief stint with the Colts.

This move is a blow to the Falcons, as the Browns were widely seen as the most likely landing spot for Cousins. But now, Cleveland has added two quarterbacks this offseason — Flacco and Kenny Pickett — without even exploring a deal for the veteran Falcon.

On top of that, the Browns still have Deshaun Watson under contract, making it unlikely they’d take on a fourth QB like Cousins.

Atlanta has been holding out in hopes of getting good value in a trade, earning some praise for not rushing to release Cousins despite his reported desire to leave. So far, though, all that patience has resulted in more waiting.

At this point, the Pittsburgh Steelers may be the only remaining team with a clear need at quarterback — and no early draft pick to address it. However, they seem to be holding out for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision about his free agency future. If that falls through, Pittsburgh could circle back to Cousins, though some analysts think they won’t pursue him regardless.

As things stand, the Falcons may be forced to keep Cousins on the roster through training camp and hope another team suffers an injury at quarterback, creating new trade possibilities. That’s not ideal, especially as Atlanta shifts its focus to developing rookie Michael Penix Jr. as the future starter.

Still, unless another opportunity arises, that’s the situation Fontenot and the Falcons are stuck with — and with the Browns now likely out of the picture, their options are looking slimmer.