Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Kirk Cousins Emerges as NFC Team’s ‘Plan B’ After Losing Out on Matthew Stafford

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Mar 3, 2025 6:21 PM ET

Things haven’t gone according to plan for the New York Giants in the post-Daniel Jones era.

Before he agreed to terms on a new deal with the Los Angeles Rams, Matthew Stafford was heavily linked to the Giants, and some NFL insiders believed the Super Bowl champion would ultimately end up in New York when things finally shook out.

The framework of a potential deal was reportedly being discussed between the two teams until Stafford decided Los Angeles was where he wanted to be and agreed to take a little less than the $50 million-per-year salary he was believed to be asking for.

After missing out on a Pro Bowl replacement for Jones, who was released midseason, the Giants must turn their attention elsewhere to find their new signal-caller, and while most believe they’ll get him at the draft with either Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes New York could turn to free agency to fill its void instead.

“I believe the Giants would have some interest in Kirk Cousins, too, once he's released by the Falcons and is available on a veteran minimum deal,” Graziano wrote. “But Cousins comes with health concerns that would have to be addressed first.

"Kirk Cousins' $10 million 2026 roster bonus becomes fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year, but I was told that isn't a factor in the Falcons' timetable for moving on from him," Graziano continued. "They've already sunk $90 million into Cousins for less than one year's worth of games, and if they truly believe there's a trade market for him, the extra $10 million won't deter them from hanging on past March 17. Odds are much stronger, however, that they won't find much of a market and will end up releasing Cousins at some point soon.”

If Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons last offseason, is released, the Giants could potentially sign him for a team-friendly league minimum and still draft a developmental passer to sit behind him for a year or two.

Cousins lost his starting job to rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 14 of this season after proving to be ineffective despite Atlanta still being in playoff contention with a 7-7 record.

The former Pro Bowler threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with an 88.6 passer rating. His 16 picks were a career-high and his passer rating was the lowest of his career for a season in which he started 14 or more games.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: