When you think of big-name NFL quarterbacks who could be on the move in the coming weeks, Atlanta Falcons backup Kirk Cousins immediately comes to mind.

The 37-year-old Kirk Cousins has been the subject of trade rumors since he was benched by head coach Raheem Morris in favor of Michael Penix Jr. for Atlanta’s last three games of 2024. Penix played well enough to secure the starting job for 2025, leaving the Falcons’ $180 million investment on the bench as a pricy backup.

But with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy nursing shoulder and toe injuries that have his status for Week 2 in question, could the NFC West powerhouse look to Cousins as an insurance option?

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk floated the idea of the 49ers trading for Kirk Cousins if a) Purdy is out for an extended period, and b) second-stringer Mac Jones struggles in his place:

“He’s out there. There’s been that long-term link between Kyle Shanahan and Kirk Cousins…The 49ers held the second overall pick in the 2017 draft. They flip-flopped with the Bears and drafted Solomon Thomas third overall.

Kyle Shanahan, entering his first year with the 49ers, didn’t even do a deep dive on Patrick Mahomes because Shanahan, at that time, was confident that one year later, he would sign Kirk Cousins. Now, along the way, somebody talked him in to Jimmy Garoppolo. Oops!

Shanahan was Cousins’ offensive coordinator in Washington from 2012 to 2013, hence the never-ending rumors that the former wants a reunion with the four-time Pro Bowler. Cousins went on to sign with the Vikings in 2018 free agency, with the 49ers committing to Garoppolo long-term.

It’s been obvious for a while that the relationship between Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons isn’t healthy. A QB of his caliber never expects to be on the bench, but the Falcons also expected better when they gave him $100 million in guarantees.

At any rate, the 49ers still have the option to reunite Shanahan and Garoppolo once and for all. The Falcons would surely be happy to get his contract off their books, and Cousins would be thrilled to play in a star-studded 49ers unit led by one of the NFL’s most brilliant offensive minds.

Cousins is nearly two years removed from surgery on a torn Achilles that abruptly ended his 2023 season. He’s healthier now compared to a year ago, and he just might re-emerge as a starting-caliber quarterback if he lands on the right team.