NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports Kirk Cousins is one of the best quarterbacks available on the free agency market. Yet he’s without an NFL team at this point in time [two weeks into free agency]. One reason could be that several veteran QBs like, Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, were signed to veteran minimum contracts.
Several GMs told La Canfora that Atlanta should not have given up on Cousins; he could have started for them this season, but the Falcons did not bring him back. Now, he’s without a team, and the best course for him could be the waiting period.
La Canfora suggests he could wait until inevitable injuries occur so a spot opens up, and he can land a franchise.
As he may not be signing for the veteran minimum, and there are only a few options available: the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Las Vegas Raiders, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Los Angeles Rams.
NFL Trade Rumors: Steelers, Raiders, and 49ers tied to veteran QB Kirk Cousins
Aaron Rodgers is still making every Pittsburgh fan / probably even franchise member wait for his verdict on his return or retirement. This may give Steelers new head coach Mike McCarthy an opportunity to view Cousins as a viable alternative.
Las Vegas’ presumptive first overall pick, Fernando Mendoza, may not be ready for Week 1.
This would divert them to look for an established quarterback who could buy time on the gridiron until their rookie is ready.
As for the 49ers, the $10M free agent is familiar with San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan from their days together with the Washington Redskins [2012-2013].
Cousins was in his second and third years, while Shanahan was his offensive coordinator. They both belonged to Atlanta at different times. Cousins in 2024 and 2025, while Shanahan in 2015 and 2016. Anyhow, this history is what helps develop into a future connection. He could become franchise QB Brock Purdy’s backup.
But then the Niners have Mac Jones, who served as a crucial backup for 2025. And Niners Wire’s Kyle Madson just reported that the 49ers may not be trading Jones. He is scheduled to enter the second year of his two-year, $8.4M contract signed last offseason.
This leaves us with the last team Cousins is linked with.
NFL free agent Kirk Cousins tied to Matthew Stafford’s Los Angeles Rams
As for Los Angeles, the veteran QB and Sean McVay spent time together with the Redskins again.
The Rams head coach, Sean McVay, was the Redskins tight ends coach and offensive coordinator during the period when Cousins was with Washington. They may need backup for Matthew Stafford. Since Stafford’s backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, had his contract expire and is an unrestricted free agent now.
The Rams are still looking for Stafford’s backup, as he will be returning in 2026. But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell links two other QBs for Cousins to compete with for the Rams backup role: Carson Wentz and re-signing Garoppolo.
La Canfora also reports that Cousins would not be signing as a backup anywhere if he got a starting role somewhere. So, we are back to square one: waiting period.
Every year, some franchise suffers a devastating QB injury during spring practices or training camp, and top-drafted QBs often prove not ready to contribute immediately. Either of these scenarios could be an option for Cousins, or if Rodgers retires, he could be the Steelers’ QB.
According to Spotrac, Cousins is projected to sign a one-year, $10.7M contract, which gives him an average annual salary of $10.7M. His total career earnings over 14 years are $321M. He has played for three NFL teams; now what remains to be seen is which franchise will be his fourth…
