Browns and Titans at the top of the best team in 2025

Kirk Cousins’ decline may have started slowly, but his downfall with the Atlanta Falcons ended quickly.

In a four-game losing streak that pushed the Falcons out of first place in the NFC South and to the brink of the playoffs, Cousins was the pressing issue behind the team’s woes, as he threw eight interceptions while being held without a touchdown . But it wasn’t until Monday night’s 15-9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, in which Cousins didn’t attempt a single pass on first down before halftime and totaled a season-low 112 yards, that things really started to get out of hand . Falcons coach Raheem Morris, who had steadfastly supported his starter in previous weeks, was noncommittal about the team’s plan at quarterback after the game.

“We didn’t play well enough at the quarterback position and we need to find ways to play better,” Morris said.

Less than 24 hours later, the Falcons announced that Cousins had been benched. Rookie first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. will take over the remaining three games of the regular season.

The move marked stunning potential for Cousins’ time in Atlanta, just nine months and 14 starts after he signed a four-year, $180 million contract. He was brought on board to help spearhead a talented offense that seemed poised to make a significant leap. Instead, he proved to be one of the unit’s biggest limitations, throwing an NFL-worst 16 interceptions.

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So what’s next for Cousins?

Many signs seem to point to a split sometime in the next three months, as an additional $10 million – he’s already due $27.5 million in 2025 – is guaranteed by Atlanta if he stays until March 16 is in the squad. Facilitating a trade could involve paying a portion of Cousins’ salary, and the veteran’s no-trade clause could be a significant obstacle for the Falcons in working out a deal.

All of this could suggest that Cousins’ first steps toward redemption could be similar to those of Russell Wilson, whose release by the Denver Broncos in March was the largest dead cap hit ($85 million) in NFL history entailed. (Cousins would trigger a $65 million dead cap hit without an appointment after June 1.) Wilson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers before free agency began and led the franchise after he left in October After he was healthy, he took over the starting role from Justin Fields to another playoff berth.

But regardless of how he’s acquired, which teams could make sense as landing spots for Cousins in 2025? Here are the ten best options, ranked by suitability and need:

1. Cleveland Browns

Perhaps what Cousins needs most to revive his career is a coach who understands his abilities and still believes in him. If that’s the case, there’s probably no better destination for him than Cleveland. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski was Cousins’ offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings in 2019, when the quarterback posted a career-best passer rating of 107.4 and was selected to his second of four Pro Bowls. Cleveland remains financially tied to Deshaun Watson for two more years, but Cousins could be just the kind of low-cost option the team could pursue if it decides to cut its losses in one of the most unfortunate moves in NFL history limit. While Stefanski handed over the reins to Ken Dorsey this season, Cousins would likely find a lot of comfort and familiarity on offense. There’s hardly a better opportunity for the 13th-year veteran to regain his footing.

2. Tennessee Titans

The most direct path to a starting job for Cousins in 2025 could lead him to Nashville. First-year coach Brian Callahan appears to have reached his breaking point with Will Levis subbing in for Mason Rudolph this week. But unless there is a massive change in draft order, Tennessee could be denied the chance to take either Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward in a draft class that lacks a clear third-down pass that would be worthy of a top 10 selection. Cousins’ turnovers could be a concern given how often the offense was wiped out by Levis’ free throws, but even a little more stability for this unit could go a long way. Tennessee could use Cousins as its top starting option and still use a flyer on a signal-caller after the first round — the team will have to waive its third-rounder after trading him to the Kansas City Chiefs as part of the L’Jarius Sneed deal has – without committing too much to the reconstruction.

3. New York Giants

One way or another, the Falcons are sure to shape the Giants’ quarterback plan next season. As the team that faces Penix in its starting debut on Sunday, New York will either extend its nine-game losing streak to move forward en route to a top-two draft pick or potentially several spots in the preliminary order of first Win the round by falling behind. But even using a premium pick on a rookie passer may not stop the Giants from considering Cousins. Although co-owner John Mara expressed his intention to retain general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll in October, the franchise could consider bringing in a bridge starter to ensure a smooth transition to its long-term answer behind center. In a thin market at the position, Cousins could be one of the more attractive options for such a role — if he’s willing to accept it.

4. New York Jets

There’s no point in determining the Jets’ trajectory for next year, as the organization is essentially a blank slate and no one is currently in line to set the first milestone. With Aaron Rodgers’ return appearing to be a long shot according to multiple reports, Cousins could be a placeholder for the new regime that may not be inclined to make a big move on a rookie quarterback in a subpar class. The presence of Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams – if Gang Green keeps him – would provide some foundation for success, although Atlanta’s bevy of position talent wasn’t enough to keep Cousins afloat this season . Still, there would undoubtedly be some grumbling about going from a 41-year-old quarterback suffering from the discomfort of a ruptured Achilles tendon to a 36-year-old quarterback suffering from the discomfort of a ruptured Achilles tendon.

5. Indianapolis Colts

Would you? Could you? After the Matt Ryan saga, Chris Ballard would be upset if he signed another late-career quarterback from Atlanta. But for an organization that appears to be on track to repeat things with Anthony Richardson for another year, adding a new veteran backup for insurance could be a necessity after Joe Flacco proved unsuitable this season proven for the job. The potential hot-seat status of Ballard and Shane Steichen in 2025 could prompt them to at least consider that option, assuming they both return.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers

With Wilson and Justin Fields both set to become free agents, the possibility of Cousins cannot be completely ruled out just yet. But while Cousins could fit well in Arthur Smith’s play-heavy offense, the only real benefit for Mike Tomlin here would be getting another year as the established signal-caller at an extreme discount rather than giving Wilson a sizable raise. The turnover factor could also make this a non-starter for Tomlin, especially without the big-play ability that Wilson offers.

7. Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young has shown more than enough in recent weeks to restore confidence in his position as Carolina’s QB1 for next season. Still, Andy Dalton is a free agent, and having a viable veteran backup is likely a must for Dave Canales’ staff. But it’s hard to say that Cousins is even a desirable backup plan for a team like the Panthers at this point.

8. New Orleans Saints

The fracture of Derek Carr’s left hand left many wondering if the veteran quarterback had played his last snap in New Orleans. However, if the Saints move on, handing the keys to Spencer Rattler would be a far more preferable move than bringing in an even older, declining quarterback.

9. Las Vegas Raiders

With a high probability of finishing in the top two, a franchise that has been on the rocks the last two years with Jimmy Garoppolo, Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew II can finally make a splash with a young quarterback. The Raiders should be prepared to endure the lows that come with playing a rookie, so there’s little justification for bringing in someone like Cousins unless it’s purely in a mentorship role.

10. San Francisco 49ers

It’s fair to expect Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch to make some significant changes this offseason after suffering massive disappointment in last season’s Super Bowl. Moving away from Brock Purdy shouldn’t be one of them. The team has given every indication that it is still preparing to hand off a potentially record-breaking extension, and the idea that the team would change those plans just to pursue a Shanahan reunion with Cousins seems extremely far-fetched .

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