The Atlanta Falcons trading Kirk Cousins feels inevitable after he was benched for Michael Penix Jr. in 2024, but their chances of doing so might have just taken a hit after the New York Giants benched Russell Wilson.
While not guaranteed, the expectation was that Wilson would get half of a season as the Giants' starter before the team turned to rookie Jaxson Dart, who is the last hope head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have to keep their jobs.
However, that switch is happening earlier than expected, with the Giants making the move to bench Wilson in favor of Dart this week.
Now, Wilson is a prime trade candidate ahead of the November deadline since he is now expendable and is highly unlikely to return to New York in 2026, when he's slated to be a free agent.
On Saturday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo confirmed that the expectation around the league is Wilson will be on the trade block.
"Wilson is expected to emerge as a trade candidate prior to the deadline on Nov. 4, the target of a QB-needy team in need of a veteran, according to sources around the league," the NFL Network reporters wrote.
With Wilson in the mix to be traded at the deadline, quarterback-needy teams now have another option to explore.
Like Cousins, Wilson is clearly on the decline after what we've seen the past few years, but he is still a superior option over Cousins for financial reasons.
As we already stated, Wilson is going to be a free agent next year and the acquiring team won't have much to pick up when bringing him in, as the former Super Bowl winner has a cheap $10.5 million contract.
Acquiring Cousins, on the other hand, will cost draft capital and reports have long suggested the Falcons are adamant about the team trading for the veteran signal-caller picking some of the money left on his hefty contract.
On top of the rest of the $27.5 million he's owed this year, Cousins also has a $10 million roster bonus in 2026. His contract comes with a no-trade clause, as well, which means Cousins can nix any trade the Falcons agree to.
Of course, it's possible Atlanta will hold on to Cousins given the recent struggles of Penix, but if they are hellbent on dealing the 36-year-old, having to compete with the Giants and Wilson makes things more difficult.
MORE NFL NEWS
- NFL insider reveals timeline for more clarity on Joe Mixon's injury
- Raiders' Jackson Powers-Johnson mystery takes another weird turn
- Todd Bowles quells concern over Baker Mayfield's Week 4 status
- Malik Nabers could accomplish rare but undesirable feat with Jaxson Dart
- NFL refutes report about denying Steelers' Dublin request
- Aaron Rodgers not happy with Steelers' travel schedule for Dublin