Rams Considering Signing Kirk Cousins as Backup QB

Coach Sean McVay open to reunion with veteran QB after Cousins' release from Falcons

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:10am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a quarterback dropping back to pass, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form capturing the raw athleticism of the sport.A cubist interpretation of a quarterback's drop-back, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of the NFL game.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Rams are considering signing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins as a backup to starter Matthew Stafford. Rams head coach Sean McVay previously worked with Cousins when he was the offensive coordinator in Washington, and McVay is open to reuniting with the four-time Pro Bowler. The Rams are also open to re-signing Jimmy Garoppolo, who has served as the team's backup for the last two seasons.

Why it matters

The Rams are looking to solidify their quarterback depth behind Stafford, who led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2022. Cousins and Garoppolo both have starting experience and could provide valuable insurance if Stafford were to miss any time due to injury.

The details

Cousins was released by the Atlanta Falcons on March 11 after one season as their starting quarterback. He struggled down the stretch, losing his starting job to rookie Michael Penix Jr., but played better when he stepped in after Penix's season-ending injury. Over his 14-year career, Cousins has completed 66.7% of his passes for 44,700 yards, 298 touchdowns, and 131 interceptions.

  • Cousins was released by the Falcons on March 11, 2026.
  • Cousins stepped in as the Falcons' starter after Penix's injury last fall.

The players

Sean McVay

Head coach of the Los Angeles Rams, who previously worked with Kirk Cousins when he was the offensive coordinator in Washington.

Kirk Cousins

A 38-year-old veteran quarterback who was recently released by the Atlanta Falcons after one season as their starter. Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowler with 14 years of NFL experience.

Matthew Stafford

The starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams, who led the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2022.

Jimmy Garoppolo

The Rams' backup quarterback for the last two seasons, who is also a free agent this offseason.

Michael Penix Jr.

The rookie quarterback who started for the Falcons before suffering a season-ending injury, allowing Cousins to take over as the starter.

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What they’re saying

“Kirk is as influential as anybody in helping me get to L.A. in the first place. I know he's got some other options and some other suitors but Jimmy and Kirk are guys that I would love to be able to have back with us.”

— Sean McVay, Head Coach, Los Angeles Rams

What’s next

The Rams will continue to evaluate their quarterback options in the coming weeks, with Cousins and Garoppolo both potential targets to serve as Stafford's backup.

The takeaway

The Rams are looking to add veteran depth at quarterback behind Matthew Stafford, with Sean McVay open to reuniting with Kirk Cousins, his former quarterback in Washington. This move would provide insurance for the Rams if Stafford were to miss any time due to injury.