Kirk Cousins twist throws wrench into Justin Fields-Falcons trade momentum

NFL

By Matt Ehalt

The Falcons apparently very much like that.

Rumors are swirling that the Falcons actually have their eyes on free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins, not rumored trade target Justin Fields.

“Everybody I’ve talked to says the logical thing is for them … they want to go a veteran move. All eyes, all arrows, everything points toward Kirk Cousins,” Zach Klein of WBS in Atlanta said on “Dukes & Bell‘ on Thursday. “Arthur Blank has basically told his front office that. ‘Do what you’ve got to do, pay what you’ve got to pay, get it done.’

“So, everybody I’ve talked to – agents, other coaches and scouts, guys around the league – that’s the feeling that they are saying. What they are hearing is that the Falcons will put all their attention on Kirk Cousins moving forward. Now, (Falcons general manager) Terry (Fontenot) is not saying that and (coach) Raheem (Morris) is not saying that, but that’s what guys around the league are talking about.”

Vikings radio announcer Paul Allen, who logically would be more tuned into the Vikings side of rumors, echoed a similar sentiment.

“The Falcons covet Cousins more than Fields,” Allen said on KFAN on Minneapolis. “That’s a big one.”

Atlanta emerging as a viable threat for Cousins could have league-wide implications across free agency, the trade market and the draft.

The Falcons have identified they need an upgrade at quarterback following last year’s debacle with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke.

“You want to go get the best fit for your people, you want to go get the best fit for your coaches, you want to go get the best fit for our city, and you want to do all those things,” Morris told CBS. “There’s nothing ruled out. I forgot to mention trades, because all of those things come into play. … We’ve really been tedious, we’ve really been going through the process of how we are going to acquire the best fit for us.”

The Falcons have the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which puts them outside the range for the consensus top-three quarterbacks. They could be in play, though, for a second-tier quarterback like J.J. McCarthy.

While the Falcons emerged as the heavy betting favorites for Fields, if they sign Cousins that takes away a top suitor for the Bears in their rumored quest to clear the way for Caleb Williams.

If Atlanta indeed signs Cousins, that could force the Vikings to consider trading up for a top-three quarterback — if that’s even possible — or perhaps also making a play for McCarthy with the 11th pick.

Minnesota general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah made it clear that the team hopes to re-sign Cousins.

Allen previously revealed Broncos coach Sean Payton, owner of the No. 12 pick, is enamored with the Michigan product.

Cousins would immediately make the Falcons viable NFC contenders considering the team has a strong set of playmakers in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts and a solid defense.