The Green Bay Packers lost one of the highest-profiled backup quarterbacks in quite some time to NFL free agency this spring. Malik Willis agreed to join former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley with the Miami Dolphins.
That has left the Packers without a backup quarterback. To replace Willis, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed Green Bay sign former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“They run play-action at one of the highest rates in the league under Matt LaFleur,” Barnwell wrote on Friday. “Jordan Love has missed two games to injury in each of the past two years, so the Packers have to be conscious of their need to have a backup they trust if Love can’t go.
“While LaFleur might try to find value with another prospect in the same way the Packers once did when they traded for Willis, Cousins would be a solid option as the backup behind Love in 2026.”
The Atlanta Falcons released Cousins this offseason. Two years ago, the Falcons signed Cousins to a 4-year, $180 million contract.
There’s little doubt the 37-year-old would probably prefer to land in a place where he could start. That’s not Green Bay.
But starting opportunities are drying up around the league. In addition to the Dolphins, the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings and Falcons either signed or traded for potential veteran starters during the first week of free agency.
As a backup last season in Atlanta, Cousins made eight starts, leading the team to a 5-3 record. Cousins completed 61.7% of his passes for 10 touchdowns and five interceptions while averaging 6.4 yards per attempt.
Before the Falcons, Cousins played six seasons for both the Vikings and then Washington Redskins.
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