Insider links Falcons with Vikings' Kirk Cousins

The Atlanta Falcons may need to find an upgrade over starting quarterback Desmond Ridder who isn't journeyman and current backup Taylor Heinicke. 

For a piece published on Monday, ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano suggested that the Falcons "should" consider making a move for Kirk Cousins of the Minnesota Vikings. 

"Heinicke is a veteran who might be able to stabilize things," Graziano explained. "And he'd certainly be willing to throw downfield more than Ridder, who is averaging 6.5 air yards per attempt. But it's hard to imagine him as the answer for a team that really looks like it could be pretty good with some competent QB play." 

Atlanta head coach Arthur Smith named Ridder the team's starter this past spring amid rumors linking the club at that time with Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson, who eventually signed an extension with his employer. Ridder thus far has been a mixed bag for the 2-2 Falcons, and ESPN stats show the 2022 third-round draft pick began Monday ranked 31st out of 33 qualified players with a 29.2 adjusted QBR on the season. 

He completed 19-of-31 passes for 191 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions in Sunday's 23-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London. 

As for Cousins, he remains on track to reach free agency after the season but also has a full no-trade clause attached to his contract. It was reported last week there was "nothing to" speculation regarding the New York Jets possibly pursuing Cousins ahead of the Oct. 31 trade deadline, and that was before New York signal-caller Zach Wilson impressed during a "Sunday Night Football" loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Meanwhile, the Vikings improved to 1-3 via a 21-13 win at the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and haven't yet offered any public sign they'd shop Cousins this month. Minnesota hosts 3-1 Kansas City this coming Sunday. 

Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk noted that Smith confirmed Monday he's starting Ridder for this Sunday's home game against the 2-2 Houston Texans. It's unclear if the Falcons would look to trade for a new QB1 before the end of this month.