Rams tipped for ‘reunion’ with $320m franchise QB as Matthew Stafford backup plan emerges
Much of the free agency madness has passed, but Kirk Cousins remains unsigned.
The veteran quarterback, 37, was released by the Atlanta Falcons on March 11.
Atlanta has since singed Tua Tagovailoa from the Miami Dolphins, and he will contest for the starting role at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
with Michael Penix Jr. in 2026.
That means Cousins has been pushed out, and is looking for a new team, having made a decision to hold off retirement amid some noise.
Starting opportunities, though, could be scarce.
Plenty of teams with a quarterback need have already filled their vacancies, in a carousel that sent Geno Smith to the New York Jets, Kyler Murray to the Minnesota Vikings and Malik Willis to the Dolphins.
Cousins, who has made around $320 million across a lucrative NFL career to date, could be forced to settle for a backup role in 2026.
While he still has hopes of being the main man next season, Sports Illustrated insider Albert Breer believes being a bit-part player with the Los Angeles Rams would be appealing.
Kirk Cousins could be set for Sean McVay reunion
The way Breer sees it, ‘Kirko Chainz’ has three options this offseason.
His first path is to push for a starting spot, with perhaps only two viable options in the Las Vegas Raiders and the Pittsburgh Steelers remaining.
The latter, of course, are still banking on an Aaron Rodgers return and would not likely move for another veteran.
Path two, meanwhile, could lead Cousins to Los Angeles.
“The second path would be to join a playoff team as a backup, which would give Cousins the best chance to play well if he did get to come off the bench,” Breer wrote Monday.
“That could be the Rams, if Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t re-sign, given Cousins’s background with Sean McVay.”
Breer also noted the Kansas City Chiefs could have been an option for the veteran, but that door has closed with Justin Fields landing at Arrowhead instead.
He suggested that Cousins does have a third option on the table, which would be to simply wait it out.
That comes with the risk of never getting the ‘right opportunity’ — but also the hope of potentially landing with a postseason contender down the line.
Why would the Rams backup role appeal to Kirk Cousins?
The Rams, then, might be Cousins’ preferred destination.
Under McVay, the franchise has been to the playoffs for three-straight years, and won the Super Bowl at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
Cousins is only three years younger than McVay, and would likely relish a chance to reunite with his former Washington offensive coordinator.
The pair worked closely together from 2014 to 2016, and McVay had a direct impact in developing Cousins into a franchise quarterback.
He became the full-time starter in 2015, and led the Redskins to back-to-back winning seasons, throwing for over 9,000 yards and more than 50 touchdowns under McVay’s direction.
NFL MVP Matthew Stafford is the starter in Los Angeles, but the franchise could turn to Cousins to ensure they have a veteran behind him, if called upon.
The Rams will have sights set on Super Bowl glory again in 2026, and could give Cousins one final shot at lifting the Lombardi Trophy, even if it’s in a more limited role.
As one of the last signal callers on the market, the four-time Pro Bowler has plenty to weigh up.
He is also heading into the final years of his NFL career, and will need to ensure he makes the right move, as it could be his last in the league.
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