The Cincinnati Bengals have had a rough start to their season, as after winning their first two games against the Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars, they’ve lost their last two. This is largely due to superstar quarterback Joe Burrow going down with turf-toe in their second game, which has been their toughest loss of the year thus far.
While their offense still has star weapons in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Cincinnati’s backup quarterback, Jake Browning, hasn’t been able to get it going. Through three games, Browning has five interceptions to just three touchdowns, displaying how poor his performance has been this season.
With Burrow projected to be out for the next three months, it’s clear that the Bengals will have to make a change at quarterback if they want to have any chance at the playoffs. Fortunately for them, there are a number of solid quarterbacks that could be available if they choose to make a move.
Why Are the Bengals Predicted to Trade for Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins?
With the NFL trade deadline coming up on November 3, Sports Illustrated put out an article listing one trade every team should make before the deadline. One of those trades sent Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Bengals to replace Burrow for this season.
Bleacher Report also listed Cousins as a potential trade target for them this season, among a couple of other veterans, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.
While Cousins is likely the best candidate available for Cincinnati, he has one problem that could prevent this trade. Last year, he signed a four-year $180 million contract with Atlanta, which not only kicks into full gear next season, but would give the Falcons $75 million in dead cap if he’s traded this season.
Next season, he’s set to start making $57.5 million per year between his salary and bonuses, which would be an absurd amount of money to be paying a backup quarterback, and the Bengals certainly aren’t done with Burrow. Furthermore, this would be nearly $10 million more than what Burrow is owed next season.
Even so, in PFSN’s top destinations for Cousins, the Bengals were listed among the top three, as it would be difficult to “give up” on the season if they don’t have to. Cincinnati also has a little more cap space to work with, so if adding him just for this season, it would be financially possible.
Additionally, Cousins does have a no-trade clause, so if he’s traded, it’ll only be to somewhere he wants to go. The Bengals definitely have an enticing offense to work with, so it could be one of the only teams he’d be willing to be traded to.
Last season, Cousins was the 20th-ranked quarterback in PFSN’s QBi, which isn’t great, but it’s certainly not worse than Browning has been this year. So far this season, Browning is ranked 37th, which is dead last, in QBi at 42.4. If the Bengals could bring in Cousins before the deadline, they would definitely be getting a major upgrade at quarterback.
