With experienced starting quarterbacks Anthony Richardson (Colts), Russell Wilson (Giants), and Kirk Cousins (Falcons) occupying backup roles for their teams, it stands to reason any of the three could wind up on the move before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. However, four weeks into the season, nobody from that group has drawn interest, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports.
Of that trio, Richardson is the least likely to change hands, according to Jones. The former fourth overall pick (2023) disappointed during his first two years in the league, and he then lost a preseason competition to Daniel Jones for the Colts’ starting job this summer. Jones has since gotten off to a surprisingly fast start for the 3-1 Colts, further calling Richardson’s future into question. The Colts are inclined to keep Richardson through the season, though, as he’ll remain under team control in 2026. He has a fifth-year option for 2027 that Indianapolis will have to decide on in the season. Unless his stock rises dramatically this year, it would be a shock if the Colts exercised it.
With the Giants having benched Wilson for rookie Jaxson Dart in late September, the 36-year-old looks like the most logical trade candidate of this group. The Giants haven’t actively sought out offers for Wilson, per Jones, but that could change over the next month. They already have another veteran backup in Jameis Winston under contract for next season.
Wilson, on the other hand, is due to reach free agency again during the spring after signing a one-year, $10.5MM guarantee with the Giants last offseason. An acquiring team would take on Wilson’s prorated $2MM base salary while likely surrendering a Day 3 draft pick, Jones hears.
Despite a quality track record as a starter, it’s no surprise that Cousins hasn’t drawn interest. His contract – which comes with expensive guarantees in the form of a $27.5MM base salary this year and a $10MM roster bonus for 2026 – is prohibitive. The Falcons would reportedly want an acquiring team to take on Cousins’ financial commitments and give up a premium draft pick. Barring drastic changes, he’s likely to ride out the season as the backup to Michael Penix Jr.
Assuming none of Richardson, Wilson, or Cousins end up back in starting roles with their current teams, it may require a contending club(s) suffering a significant injury at QB for any of them to garner trade interest. The Bengals make sense as a potential suitor on paper, having lost starter Joe Burrow to a toe injury in Week 2. Burrow could miss three months (if not more), and backup Jake Browning has struggled mightily since taking the reins. Despite that, the Bengals remain confident in Browning. They also rarely swing in-season trades, and the Mike Brown-led organization may be unwilling to add to its payroll.
Beyond Cincinnati, the Ravens, Vikings, and 49ers are also dealing with injuries to their starters. The Ravens’ Lamar Jackson could miss multiple games with a hamstring injury, but they signed an experienced backup in Cooper Rush last March. The Vikings also have a battle-tested reserve of their own, Carson Wentz, who’s playing in place of J.J. McCarthy as he recovers from an ankle sprain. As for the 49ers, they appear to be in great shape with No. 2 signal-caller Mac Jones, who has excelled filling in for Brock Purdy. With Purdy down with a toe injury, Jones has led the 49ers to three wins in as many starts.
Kirk Cousins to the Bengals makes too much sense…stubbornness by both teams lol
Lmao great minds think alike. I’ve said this for weeks cousins can do way more than browning especially with Chase getting frustrated.
Cousins has no chance of beating out Burrow for the starter job so such a trade makes no sense for him or Cincinnati.
Burrow likely wont be back until week 15 or later. Cousins is the best option right now.
Cousins wins the Bengals maybe one or two games more than Browning but it still won’t get them any post season success. It would be an expensive short term rental and Kirk has indicated he has no interest in any short term deals.
How does he help the defense? They also can’t run the ball.
Not with that bloated contract! Trade for Winston from the Giants…..leave Wilson in NY
BH- why would someone pay 37 million dollars for 13 weeks of a mediocre QB ? Makes no sense. Much less giving up draft picks and/or players. Cousins isn’t mobile so he’d end up doing exactly what Jake is doing, standing there like a statue while he gets sacked on every play. Winston gives them the best chance, he’s mobile and has a howitzer for an arm. Plus he wouldn’t cost much.
Winston has a 16.5 passer rating in OT so perhaps he’s not the guy you want to rely on in a do or die situation.
At least he’s not doing the “Ol statue of Liberty play” on every down.
Bad, bad, and big contract and maybe also bad. Shocking!
Calling Anthony Richardson an experienced quarterback is like calling The Rock a skilled Shakespearean thespian.
People need to stop throwing out the bengals name as if they are a franchise that is trying to win.
AR needs a year off, he also needs to be moved to a qb guru team.
Russ is done.
Kirk maybe better but ATL would eat the contract. Bengals only chance at playoffs maybe the division.
I’ll give you two Tyreek Hill football cards, a half filled Gatorade container ( not filled with lemon-lime Gatorade) and a half roll of lifesavers for Big Tony Richardson. My grandkids pee wee team needs a running back.
Which means any of the 3 will be traded