Kirk Cousins Next Team Odds: Steelers, Raiders Top List

Quarterback Kirk Cousins arrived in Atlanta before this past NFL season, bringing with him hopes that the presence of a stable, talented, veteran QB would push the talent-laden Falcons past Tampa Bay in the NFC South. 

The Falcons guaranteed Cousins $90 million for the first 2 years as part of a four-year deal potentially worth $180 million. 

However, the Falcons failed to meet those lofty expectations under Cousins' QB leadership. After a 6-3 start, the Falcons lost 4 straight, all but wiping out their playoff chances. Cousins was finally benched in Week 16 after a 15-9 win over the Raiders. 

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Rookie Michael Penix finished the season for the Falcons. And the Falcons have made it clear that Penix, who was taken by Atlanta with the 8th overall pick of the draft, is their QB1 moving forward into the 2025 season. And beyond.

So, where does that leave Cousins? And the potential $40 million salary cap hit his presence could cost?

Bookies.com Senior Handicapper and NFL analyst Adam Thompson has revealed his NFL odds regarding where Cousins will take his snaps in 2025. 

Kirk Cousins' Next Team Odds

These odds were compiled by Bookies.com Senior Handicapper Adam Thompson. They are not currently available on betting apps. Percentages will not add up to 100% most time because these are designed to simulate odds a sportsbook would set.

Kirk Cousins' Next Team Odds - Team-by-Team Analysis 

The Falcons would be happy with Cousins as their No. 2 QB in 2025. Or so says GM Terry Fontenot. 

"Kirk is a great man, and he's been a great support for Mike, a great teammate, great support for everybody in the building, so we're very confident moving forward with him as the backup," Fontenot said at a January 9 press conference via ESPN. 

Fontenot has little choice since the Falcons are on the hook to pay Cousins next season. Penix will be on Year 2 of his rookie contract, which carries a cap hit of $5.2 million. 

These days, $40 million per year for a quality starting QB is not considered expensive. The question for any of Cousins' would-be suitors is this: "Can he remain healthy and effective at age 37?" 

It sounds more likely as though the Falcons now plan to trade or release Cousins. 

Pittsburgh Steelers +300

Buzz: The Steelers made it back to the playoff this season using a mixture of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson rose to the occasion until later in the season when opponents were able to contain his mobility and shut down his potential targets. Cousins still has a cannon for an arm. He'll find protection behind Pittsburgh's offensive line that he didn't enjoy in Atlanta. The Steelers only have one QB on their current roster (Skylar Thompson) and have $43,288,775 in available cap space heading into next season. Plus, they are carrying no dead cap space on either Wilson or Fields. 

Las Vegas Raiders +350

Buzz: Pete Carroll is now in charge in Sin City. His first major task is - or should be - finding the Raiders' next franchise QB. Or at least their next starter can deliver 17 quality starts in a season and throw more TD's than interceptions. The Raiders have $95,490,403 in available cap space, via Spotrac. But they need to add on both sides of the ball. The Raiders have 3 QBs on their roster (Aiden O'Connell, Gardner Minshew, and Carter Bradley) who carry just under $9 million dead cap space combined. One of those would likely be QB2 if the Raiders go with Cousins. 

Cleveland Browns +500

Buzz: Kevin Stefanski survived the NFL's post-season coach culling. But he's coming back to a Browns team that fell apart this season, finished 3-14, and used four different quarterbacks. Deshaun Watson suffered an Achilles injury and played just 7 games in 2024. He is likely to miss significant time this upcoming season, as well. Watson carries a $76 million cap this season. Bringing in a QB like Cousins with a $40 million price tag is unlikely. Cleveland has the No. 2 pick in the April draft and could well take a QB. 

New York Giants +650

Buzz: The Daniel Jones Error ended in ignominy for Big Blue. The oft-abused and ridiculed QB was mercifully released by the Giants late this past season. Jones signed with the Vikings for their aborted playoff run. The Giants are finally out from under the onerous deal Jones got after the 2022 season but will carry $22 million in dead cap space thanks to Jones this season.  The Giants have the 3rd pick in the 2025 NFL draft. It's unlikely they'll land a "franchise QB" with that pick. The Giants' overall cap situation (they have $47,756,074 in cap space available via Spotrac) and lack of a viable incumbent at the QB spot make Cousins among the best available options for another bridge year in Northern New Jersey.