Kirk Cousins trade rumors are heating up as starting quarterbacks around the league are succumbing to injuries. In the past week alone, the Cincinnati Bengals lost Joe Burrow for three months while Minnesota Vikings first-round pick J.J. McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain. Justin Fields, meanwhile, suffered a concussion in the lopsided loss against the Buffalo Bills. Burrow and McCarthy will miss significant amounts of time, but it doesn’t appear that either team is interested in acquiring Cousins from the Atlanta Falcons.
A former fourth-round pick, Cousins was a borderline top-10 quarterback during his time with the Washington Redskins and Minnesota Vikings. However, he tore his Achilles in 2023 and didn’t look like his old self during his first season in Atlanta. While he had a few nice moments, he ultimately lost his job to first-round pick Michael Penix.
While Kirk Cousins has a history of being an above-average starter, ESPN’s Dianna Russini put trade rumors to rest. During a recent appearance on the Scoop City podcast, the NFL insider believes the quarterback will remain with Atlanta.
“So I reached out to some people, and I don’t think Atlanta’s moving Cousins right now.”
Russini: Falcons Won’t Trade Kirk Cousins After Latest Quarterback Injuries
As of this posting, Justin Fields has not yet passed concussion protocol and may not suit up in Week 3. If he doesn’t play, longtime journeyman Tyrod Taylor will suit up against the 2-0 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
With Burrow sidelined for the majority of 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals will entrust former undrafted free agent Jake Browning to lead the offense. Browning helped guide the Bengals to a Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 21 of his 32 attempts for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions. He started seven games in place of an injured Burrow in 2023, going 4-3 while completing a league-best 70.4% of his passes for 1,936 yards, 12 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.
Carson Wentz, meanwhile, will start for his sixth team in as many seasons while McCarthy heals on the sideline. The 2017 MVP runner-up had a rough go of it last year, completing 12 of 19 passes for 118 yards in his lone start. If Wentz doesn’t improve and McCarthy’s injury is worse than initially believed, then perhaps the Vikings could trade for old friend Kirk Cousins.
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