There’s some more quarterback drama brewing as we enter the home stretch of the regular season.

This week, we talk about the benching of two QBs — Atlanta Falcons’ Kirk Cousins and Tennessee Titans’ Will Levis — and what’s next for those teams and players. Plus, we have Week 16 bets, injury updates and more news around the NFL.

A quick note that next week’s newsletter will be released a day earlier on Wednesday, a.k.a. Christmas morning.

Like what you’re reading? Subscribe to our newsletter below!

—Wes Roesch, Newsletter Editor at A to Z Sports

---

SUBSCRIBE to our emails here:

^{By submitting this form, you hereby acknowledge and agree to receive email communications from A to Z Sports. We value your privacy and will handle your information with care. You will have the option to unsubscribe from our emails at any time through a link provided in each correspondence. Please review our Privacy Policy for more details about how we manage your information.}

---

Kirk Cousins benched, Michael Penix Jr. to start: What’s next for Kirk?

After struggling his way to a 7-7 record with a career-high 16 interceptions, Falcons QB Kirk Cousins has officially been benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. That controversial draft pick doesn’t look so bad after all.

Despite the struggles, Cousins probably still has plenty gas left in the tank — he just needs to find the right team. It’s possible Atlanta decides to trade him during the offseason, assuming a team is willing to take on his $27.5 million in guaranteed money in 2025, plus more money in future years. Wendell Ferreira outlined a handful of teams that may be willing to trade for Cousins in 2025 — below are some notables:

Cleveland Browns

The Browns have indicated they will keep the current management structure with general manager Andrew Berry and head coach Kevin Stefanski. And while it's impossible to cut Deshaun Watson, they need to add some kind of real competition.

The Browns are now projected to be $16.4 million over the 2025 cap space with a $272.5 million projection from Over the Cap. But Watson has a $72.935 million cap hit, and the Browns could open up $36.8 million by restructuring it with the addition of void years. That move alone would be enough to absorb Cousins' contract.

New York Giants

The management group with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll is clearly at risk, and the big reason for that was the contract extension they gave Daniel Jones last offseason. The quarterback is now gone, and there might not be enough time to develop a young quarterback for these people. They are in job preservation mode, and Kirk Cousins could be a decent option to keep things afloat for a year while they evaluate long-term options.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders basically didn't have a QB plan in 2024. New general manager Tom Telesco treaded water with Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell, but there needs to be a more serious option next year. The 2025 draft class is probably not great. However, the Raiders will certainly pick a player at the most important position anyway and see what they get later. Meanwhile, Cousins could be a helpful tool while the young player develops.

Five offseason landing spots for Kirk Cousins after Falcons’ decision to bench him

Veteran started 14 games in Atlanta

---

Will Levis benched: What’s next for him and the Titans?

Another QB was recently benched: Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis. Mason Rudolph will get the start moving forward. This move was less about having more faith in Rudolph and more about realizing that Levis isn’t the answer for the team.

With that in mind, Levis is still under contract for two more years, so he’ll probably remain in Tennessee unless another squad tries to trade for him. Meanwhile, Tennessee now has a QB problem to fix in 2025. Easton Freeze brainstormed a handful of options for the Titans next year — here are some notables:

Minnesota Vikings QB Sam Darnold

Sam Darnold is locked in as the belle of the 2025 free agency ball at QB. The year he's had in Minnesota, his first with the team, has been legit. Through Week 15, he's 3rd in the league in passer rating. He's 6th in total yards, 7th in completion percentage, and 11th in EPA/dropback. He has a 28-10 TD/INT ratio. It's been a real delight to see him finally emerge as the seriously talented passer he is.

The ultimate verdict on Darnold will depend on the price. He's far and away the best option on the free agent market, but nobody want's to be the sucker who spends way too much on a long term contract for the one-season-wonder. Darnold is currently on a 1-year $10 million contract with Minnesota, who is sure to be among the teams interested in signing him in the spring. How steep the bids are will dictate how smart an option he would be for the Titans.

Colorado Buffaloes QB Shedeur Sanders

From a pure football player standpoint, Sanders' greatest crime is not being elite at anything. He doesn't have the biggest arm you've ever seen, he's not the fastest or biggest, and he's not a well-oiled mental machine in the pocket that we've seen other college QBs enter the draft as. In our microwave, superlative culture, if somebody isn't a freak in some regard, we lose interest.

But Sanders might be a B+ across the board. In the same way he's not elite at anything, he's also not really bad at anything either. In three college seasons, he has a TD-INT ratio around 5-1 and his completion percentage hovers around 70%. He has a high floor in my opinion, the only question is what kind of ceiling he could have.

Miami Hurricanes QB Cam Ward

Ward scares me to death. His highlight reel is more than enough to sell you on him being a total superstar. He makes a couple plays each game that you just don't see others making on Saturdays. But if you view his lowlights tape… you're compelled to run screaming. If you sit long enough watching any given Miami game this year, he's sure to make a play that leaves you with a dozen questions. Why? How? Why?!

It's hard not to see the upside and downside similarities between Ward and Will Levis if you're a Titans fan. And I'd imagine Titans executives will feel that too. It's not a direct comparison, but the "I can get away with anything from anywhere because I am Superman" effect is very real for both on tape. Where he ends up being drafted is a big question mark, perhaps as high as 2nd overall or as low as the mid 1st round. Could the Titans make him their guy in 2025? Possibly! But right now, I would strongly advise against it.

The Titans future options at quarterback after Will Levis benched in loss to Bengals

The Titans need a new QB for 2026, and here are their options

---

Only A to Z Sports newsletter subscribers get the rest of this email, which has sports betting picks, injury news and more.

Don't miss out on next week's full newsletter: SUBSCRIBE to our FREE weekly NFL newsletter to receive updates on your favorite NFL team and the rest of the league straight to your inbox.

^{By submitting this form, you hereby acknowledge and agree to receive email communications from A to Z Sports. We value your privacy and will handle your information with care. You will have the option to unsubscribe from our emails at any time through a link provided in each correspondence. Please review our Privacy Policy for more details about how we manage your information.}