As the NFL season heats up, so does speculation surrounding potential quarterback shakeups.
Among the most intriguing rumors is a possible reunion between veteran signal-caller Kirk Cousins and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
With Brock Purdy nursing both shoulder and toe injuries and his Week 2 availability uncertain, the 49ers are being linked to what could become a high-profile insurance move.
Cousins, currently with the Atlanta Falcons, finds himself in an awkward spot. Despite signing a four-year, $180 million deal just last offseason, including $100 million guaranteed, the 37-year-old was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. for the final stretch of 2024.
Penix impressed, and by all accounts has secured the starting job for 2025. That leaves Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, as one of the league’s most expensive backups.
The idea of Cousins heading to the Bay Area isn’t new. Back in 2017, Shanahan reportedly had his eyes set on acquiring him while rebuilding the 49ers.
At the time, San Francisco held the No. 2 overall pick in the draft but opted to trade for Jimmy Garoppolo instead. The decision effectively ended any immediate hope of a Cousins reunion, but rumors have persisted ever since.
Could Cousins become San Francisco’s stop-gap starter?
The discussion gained traction once again after Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk suggested that the 49ers could explore a trade if Purdy is sidelined long-term and backup Mac Jones fails to perform.
The long-standing connection between Cousins and Shanahan makes this speculation feel more grounded than most. From their days together in Washington, Shanahan has remained a vocal supporter of Cousins‘ skill set and leadership.
On the financial side, a trade could be feasible but complicated. The Falcons are reportedly open to offloading Cousins‘ deal but want any trade partner to absorb a significant chunk of his remaining guaranteed money.
So far, that asking price has scared away potential suitors. Still, the 49ers, who have one of the league’s most talent-rich rosters, may be uniquely positioned to take on the risk, especially if the quarterback situation becomes dire.
Complicating matters is Cousins‘ no-trade clause, which allows him to veto any deal he doesn’t approve. Meanwhile, San Francisco just gave Purdy a $265 million contract extension, signaling their long-term commitment, even as short-term uncertainty looms.
If Atlanta lowers its price and Purdy‘s injury lingers, this potential move could shift from rumor to reality. For now, it remains one of the most intriguing “what-if” scenarios as the 2025 season unfolds.
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