Could Kirk Cousins Pull a Sam Darnold-Style Comeback with the Jets?
One of the most compelling storylines to come out of Super Bowl 60 wasn’t just about who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy-it was about who made it there. Sam Darnold, once written off as a draft bust, led the Seattle Seahawks to a championship, flipping the script on a career that had seen more stops than starts. Now, the question being asked around the league is: who’s next?
According to former NFL executive and current ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum, Kirk Cousins might be the next quarterback poised for a late-career renaissance-and he thinks the New York Jets could be the team to make it happen.
“I think it’s Kirk Cousins,” Tannenbaum said on ESPN’s First Take. “Even at 38 years old, after another year off an Achilles injury, the place I think would make a lot of sense is the New York Jets.”
Let’s unpack that.
The Jets’ Quarterback Carousel
Since drafting Sam Darnold back in 2018, the Jets have been searching-desperately-for stability under center. The list of quarterbacks to take snaps for New York reads like a who's who of short-term solutions: Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, Justin Fields, and several others have all taken turns trying to right the ship. But despite the turnover, the result has been the same: no playoff appearances since 2010.
So when Tannenbaum brings up Cousins as a potential fit, it’s not coming out of nowhere. The Jets have the pieces.
They’ve built a strong offensive line, they’ve got dynamic young talent at the skill positions, and they’ve added a veteran play-caller in Frank Reich. That’s not a bad setup for a quarterback looking to reboot his career.
“That’s a really solid group of young skill players,” Tannenbaum said. “So I know I’m protected, I have a veteran play-caller in Frank Reich. 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.”
The Cousins Conundrum
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Cousins hasn’t exactly lived up to expectations in Atlanta. After suffering a torn Achilles in his final season with the Vikings in 2023, he signed a massive four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons.
But the 2024 season got off to a rocky start-so rocky, in fact, that Cousins was benched after a 1-4 start. Now, with Atlanta reportedly planning to move on before the new league year begins on March 13, Cousins could be looking for a new home.
Despite the early-season struggles, Cousins did show flashes of his old self in 2025. He appeared in 10 games, led the Falcons to a 5-3 record in that span, and threw for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns against 5 interceptions. He completed 61.7% of his passes, and in a Week 15 win over the Buccaneers, he looked like vintage Kirk-373 yards, three touchdowns, no picks.
That performance served as a reminder: when healthy and in rhythm, Cousins can still sling it.
Could New York Be the Right Fit?
The Jets aren’t just looking for a quarterback-they’re looking for a leader who can stabilize the offense and make the most of the talent around him. With Breece Hall in the backfield, Garrett Wilson on the outside, and Mason Taylor at tight end, the weapons are there. And with Reich calling plays, the system could be tailor-made for a veteran like Cousins who thrives on timing and precision.
Now, no one’s saying Cousins is going to follow Darnold’s exact path and lead his next team to a Super Bowl. But what Darnold proved is that the right situation can change everything.
He went from journeyman to champion. Cousins may not be looking for a ring-though he certainly wouldn’t mind one-but he is looking for a second act that proves he’s still a valuable starter in this league.
At 38, coming off injury, and facing release, Cousins is at a crossroads. The Jets, meanwhile, are still looking for the quarterback who can finally end their playoff drought. Maybe, just maybe, those two timelines are about to intersect.
And if they do, don’t be surprised if Cousins writes a new chapter in a career that’s already had more twists than most.