Packers Considering Veteran QB Kirk Cousins as Backup to Jordan Love

Green Bay GM says team has discussed signing former Pro Bowler Cousins as QB2 behind starter Love.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:20am

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A fragmented, abstract painting depicting a football quarterback in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of green, gold, and navy blue representing the dynamic nature of the backup QB position.A cubist interpretation of a veteran quarterback's potential role as a backup, deconstructing the position into dynamic geometric shapes.Indianapolis Today

The Green Bay Packers are searching for a new backup quarterback behind starter Jordan Love, and they are considering signing veteran Kirk Cousins as a potential option. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst acknowledged the team has discussed bringing in Cousins, who is currently a free agent after a disappointing 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Why it matters

The Packers are looking to solidify their quarterback depth chart after losing Malik Willis in free agency. Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, could provide an experienced and proven option behind the oft-injured Love, who has missed games in each of the past two seasons.

The details

With Malik Willis taking a big-money deal in Miami, the Packers are seeking a new backup for Love, who's missed two games in each of the past two seasons. At the moment, former third-round pick Desmond Ridder is penciled in as the backup, with Kyle McCord also sticking on the offseason roster. Gutekunst admitted the team has 'discussed a lot of those options' at QB2, including the possibility of signing Cousins.

  • Cousins' stint with the Falcons came to an end earlier this month.
  • In 2025, Cousins went 5-3 as a starter for the Falcons, completing 61.7% of his passes for 1,721 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

The players

Brian Gutekunst

The general manager of the Green Bay Packers.

Kirk Cousins

A 37-year-old veteran quarterback who is currently a free agent after spending the 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons.

Jordan Love

The starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, who has missed games in each of the past two seasons due to injuries.

Desmond Ridder

A former third-round pick who is currently penciled in as the backup quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.

Kyle McCord

A quarterback who is also on the offseason roster for the Green Bay Packers.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, we've discussed a lot of those options. Obviously that's a guy who's got a lot of pelts on the wall in this league, so we've certainly discussed all those kind of things.”

— Brian Gutekunst, Packers GM

What’s next

The Packers will continue to evaluate their quarterback options as they approach the 2023 NFL Draft, with Cousins potentially signing with the team if they are unable to find a suitable backup through the draft or other free agent signings.

The takeaway

The Packers are being proactive in their search for a reliable backup quarterback behind the oft-injured Jordan Love, with the experienced Kirk Cousins emerging as a potential option. This move highlights the team's commitment to building depth at the most important position on the field.