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The Los Angeles Rams are floated as a possible trade suitor for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins amid Matthew Stafford’s concerning back issue.
Matthew Stafford’s return for his 17th NFL season isn’t going as expected. The Los Angeles Rams face an uncomfortable reality that their star quarterback is still dealing with a nagging back injury that could be more serious than most people think.
Head coach Sean McVay and the Rams’ brass have yet to offer more clarity on his availability for Week 1, and the lack of certainty has only fueled speculation about a possible contingency plan.
One of the bolder suggestions floated recently came from Nick Wright on First Things First. He proposed the idea of the Rams pursuing a trade for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has quickly gone from Atlanta’s big-money free agent signing (four-year, $180 million deal) to a benched veteran watching youngster Michael Penix Jr. take over. The question is, can Los Angeles realistically make such a move, and would it even be sensible?
Could the Rams Turn to Kirk Cousins Amid Matthew Stafford’s Back Issue?
If Stafford’s back issues linger into the regular season, or worse, require surgery, the Rams will be forced to weigh their quarterback options. As of now, Jimmy Garoppolo is the team’s veteran backup, but Wright dismissed him outright, saying, “You can’t go into the year with Jimmy G.” That sentiment isn’t far-fetched given Garoppolo’s injury history and his uninspiring preseason play. Behind him is Stetson Bennett, who has yet to take a single snap in the NFL.
Enter Cousins. While his stint in Atlanta has been rocky, he is still a four-time Pro Bowler with plenty of starting experience. More importantly, he has prior ties to the offensive system the Rams use, having played under former Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell during his time with the Minnesota Vikings. The similarities in systems between McVay and O’Connell would allow for a smooth transition, giving Cousins a chance to step in without a massive learning curve.
The Financial and Trade Hurdles
The downside to adding Cousins is glaring: money. Atlanta gave him a four-year, $180 million contract last season, including a $40 million cap this season and a massive $57.5 million in 2026 and 2027. That’s a hefty financial burden for a 36-year-old quarterback who may only serve as a stopgap in Los Angeles.
Ideally, the Rams would be able to restructure his contract, and since the Falcons have already turned the page to Penix Jr., Cousins’ market value has plummeted. It shouldn’t take more than just one mid-round pick to acquire him.
Still, the Rams are stuck in limbo as Stafford’s back issue remains unpredictable. McVay has acknowledged the team is “trying some different things” to manage the injury, but even he hasn’t ruled out the possibility of surgery.
That uncertainty is what makes the Kirk Cousins conversation compelling, and the Rams can’t afford to waste a season with the type of roster they have if Stafford isn’t available.
Isaac Zuniga is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders. He also covers the Chicago Bears for LastWordOnSports.com. More about Isaac Zuniga
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