Giants Eye Kirk Cousins Trade Amid Quarterback Search

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants are exploring a potential trade for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins as they seek to address their quarterback dilemma ahead of the 2025 season. General manager Joe Schoen has not ruled out acquiring a veteran signal-caller, with Cousins emerging as a possible target.

According to Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton, the Giants could offer a 2025 fourth-round draft pick and safety Dane Belton in exchange for Cousins. Belton, 24, has shown promise in a limited role, recording 74 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and five interceptions over three seasons. The trade would hinge on Cousins waiving his no-trade clause, which he may consider if it guarantees him a starting role.

Cousins, 36, is due a fully guaranteed $27.5 million base salary in 2025, with no guaranteed money owed beyond that year. However, he could earn $10 million in roster bonuses in 2026 and 2027 if he remains on the team by March 17 of those years. The Falcons, who benched Cousins late in the 2024 season in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., are open to retaining him as a backup but could entertain trade offers.

Atlanta faces significant financial implications if they trade Cousins. Designating him as a pre-June 1 transaction would result in $65 million in dead money, while a post-June 1 move would split the dead money into $40 million in 2025 and $45 million in 2026. Despite these costs, the Falcons may seek a trade to avoid paying an expensive backup quarterback.

For the Giants, acquiring Cousins could provide stability at quarterback after a tumultuous 2024 season. The team cut Daniel Jones in November and relied on Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock to finish the season. With no quarterbacks under contract for 2025, the Giants are expected to add a veteran and potentially draft a rookie to compete for the starting role.

Moton’s proposed trade would see the Giants part with Belton, a young safety who has contributed in a rotational role. However, the Giants may hesitate to trade Belton, especially with safety Jason Pinnock also facing free agency. Alternatively, the Giants could wait to see if the Falcons release Cousins, which would allow them to sign him without giving up assets.

Other teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, and Pittsburgh Steelers, have also been linked to Cousins as they address their own quarterback needs. The Browns, in particular, are dealing with uncertainty surrounding Deshaun Watson’s recovery from a second Achilles tear, while the Raiders and Jets are in the midst of organizational overhauls.

As the offseason unfolds, the Giants’ pursuit of Cousins could shape their strategy for the 2025 season. Whether through a trade or free agency, Cousins represents a potential solution to the Giants’ quarterback woes.