As the NFL offseason unfolds, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins finds himself as one of the top free agents still on the market. However, don't expect a quick decision from the seasoned signal-caller. According to insider Jason La Canfora, Cousins might take his time, potentially waiting until deep into the offseason before choosing his next team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly keeping tabs on Cousins, viewing him as a viable option if Aaron Rodgers decides to hang up his cleats. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders are also in the mix, considering Cousins as a bridge to ease presumptive top pick Fernando Mendoza into the NFL spotlight.
Cousins' history with coaches like Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan has been mentioned, but it's unlikely he’ll settle for a backup role without first exploring every opportunity to start. If Pittsburgh or Las Vegas doesn't pan out, Cousins might hold off until a team faces an unexpected injury to their starting quarterback, a scenario that could stretch into training camp or even the regular season.
Drafted in the fourth round by Washington in 2012, Cousins spent the early years of his career under the franchise tag before landing a lucrative three-year, $84 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. He continued to secure his financial future with a series of extensions, including a fully guaranteed one-year, $35 million contract in 2021.
Most recently, Cousins joined the Atlanta Falcons on a four-year, $180 million contract, with $100 million guaranteed. In the 2025 season, he played in 10 games, starting eight, and posted solid numbers with a 61.7 percent completion rate, 1,721 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.
As Cousins weighs his options, teams in need of a proven quarterback will be watching closely, knowing that his decision could significantly impact their fortunes in the upcoming season.