LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams are officially in the market for a veteran insurance policy, identifying Kirk Cousins as their top choice to backup reigning 2025 NFL MVP Matthew Stafford. With the new league year looming, the Rams front office is moving to solidify a depth chart that currently features only 38-year-old Stafford and untested reserve Stetson Bennett. The move comes as Atlanta Falcons GM Ian Cunningham confirmed the team will release Cousins this March, ending his tenure in Georgia as the franchise pivots toward a younger core led by Michael Penix Jr.
The Rams aren’t just looking for a body; they want a proven winner. Stafford’s 2025 campaign was a masterclass, ending with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns, but his age makes a high-level backup a necessity rather than a luxury. Los Angeles remains patient with Jimmy Garoppolo, yet Cousins represents a more consistent ceiling for Sean McVay’s system. Cousins is reportedly seeking a deal in the $12 million to $14 million range, a price point the Rams are weighing against the shrinking market of reliable veteran signal-callers.
The competition for Cousins’ services is heating up. In Kansas City, reporter Nate Taylor indicates the Chiefs have made Cousins a “top priority” to stabilize the ship while Patrick Mahomes continues his recovery from a late-season ACL tear. While the Vikings have pivoted fully to J.J. McCarthy, the rest of the league is scrambling. The Rams see an opening. They need a player who can step in and maintain the 30-point-per-game average that defined their offense last season if Stafford needs a breather.
“Matthew has earned the right to look at this thing year-to-year, and we want to ensure he has the best room around him. Kirk is a guy who understands the game at an elite level. If the situation is right, you want that kind of leadership in your building.”
— Sean McVay, Rams Head Coach
This pursuit signals that the Rams are firmly in “win-now” mode for the 2026 season. By targeting a player of Cousins’ caliber, McVay is protecting a roster that many experts believe is a favorite to return to the Super Bowl. Relying on Bennett—who has zero regular-season snaps under his belt—is a risk the front office seems unwilling to take during Stafford’s twilight years. If the Rams land Cousins, they secure the most formidable quarterback tandem in the NFC, effectively nullifying the threat of a season-ending injury to their starter.
