Could Kirk Cousins Be the Jets’ Version of Sam Darnold’s Comeback Story?
One of the most unexpected headlines to come out of Super Bowl 60 was the redemption arc of Sam Darnold. Once written off as a draft bust, Darnold led the Seattle Seahawks to a championship, flipping the script on a career that had seen him bounce between five different teams. It was a full-circle moment for the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft - and a reminder that, sometimes, all it takes is the right fit at the right time.
Now, the question is: who’s next?
According to former NFL executive and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum, Kirk Cousins might be the next quarterback in line for a late-career revival. And the team he believes could provide that opportunity? The New York Jets.
“I think it’s Kirk Cousins,” Tannenbaum said on ESPN’s First Take. “Even at 38 years old, after another year off of an Achilles injury… the place I think would make a lot of sense is the New York Jets.”
Could Cousins Be the Answer in New York?
Let’s be honest - the Jets haven’t exactly had a stable quarterback situation since drafting Darnold back in 2018. Over the past eight seasons, they’ve tried nearly every approach: aging veterans like Joe Flacco and Aaron Rodgers, high-upside rookies, even a stint with Justin Fields. But no matter who’s been under center, the result has remained the same: no playoff appearances since 2010.
Tannenbaum believes Cousins could change that - not necessarily by leading a Super Bowl run, but by bringing some much-needed stability and production to a team that’s been starved for both.
He pointed to the Jets’ offensive infrastructure as a major draw. With young playmakers like Breece Hall in the backfield, Garrett Wilson out wide, and tight end Mason Taylor developing into a reliable target, the Jets have quietly assembled a strong supporting cast. Add in a veteran play-caller in Frank Reich and a solid offensive line, and the pieces are there for a quarterback who knows how to operate within structure.
“That’s a really solid group of young skill players,” Tannenbaum said. “So, I know I’m protected, I have a veteran play caller… I’m not saying I’m going to the Super Bowl with Kirk Cousins, but he can be productive for the Jets and resurrect his career.”
What Went Wrong in Atlanta?
Cousins’ time with the Falcons didn’t go as planned. After signing a four-year, $180 million deal following his 2023 ACL tear in Minnesota, expectations were high. But the 2024 season started with a thud - a 1-4 record and a benching that left many questioning whether the Falcons had made a costly mistake.
Reports now suggest Atlanta plans to part ways with Cousins before the new league year begins on March 13. That opens the door for a fresh start - and possibly, a reunion with a team that once passed on him in free agency.
Still, it wasn’t all bad in Atlanta. In 2025, Cousins started 10 games and led the Falcons to a 5-3 record in those outings.
He threw for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 61.7% of his passes. His best performance came in a Week 15 win over Tampa Bay, where he threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns with no picks - a reminder that he still has the arm and decision-making to be effective when healthy and protected.
A Comeback Worth Watching
Let’s be clear: no one’s expecting Cousins to pull off a Darnold-level Cinderella run. But at 38, with a long résumé and something still left in the tank, Cousins might be walking into a moment tailor-made for redemption.
The Jets don’t need a savior - they need a steady hand. A quarterback who can make the right reads, keep the offense on schedule, and let the talent around him shine.
Cousins has done that before. And if the stars align in New York, he might just do it again.
Whether it’s enough to end the Jets’ playoff drought remains to be seen. But in a league where second (and third, and fourth) chances are part of the game, don’t count out Kirk Cousins just yet.