NFL Rumors: Rams Interested In Free Agent Veteran Quarterback

March 31, 2026 , ,
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts on the sidelines during 2026 game.

At the NFL Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay confirmed that Los Angeles has had conversations with Kirk Cousins and his camp about the team's backup quarterback role.

"Kirk is as influential as anybody in helping me get to L.A. in the first place," McVay said. "I know he's got some other options and some other suitors, but Jimmy and Kirk are guys that I'd love to have back with us." 

Jimmy Garoppolo remains the priority, but talks between Garoppolo and the Arizona Cardinals fell apart earlier in free agency, and he remains unsigned. 

Why the Rams Make Sense for Kirk Cousins

McVay and Cousins overlapped in Washington from 2014 to 2016, and McVay has been open for years about how much Cousins' play during that stretch helped him land the Rams head coaching job. 

Cousins has also operated in McVay-influenced offenses under Kevin O'Connell in Minnesota and Zac Robinson in Atlanta, meaning the system wouldn't require much of a learning curve. 

The Rams, meanwhile, are not a rebuilding team searching for a bridge quarterback. Los Angeles finished one win short of the Super Bowl last season, losing 31-27 to Seattle in the NFC Championship game, and Matthew Stafford won NFL MVP in 2025. 

Cousins would be backing up a legitimate contender behind one of the best offensive minds in the league.  

What Comes Next for Cousins and the Rams' Quarterback Room

The current depth chart behind Stafford is essentially just Stetson Bennett, who McVay acknowledged has made progress but hasn't done enough to be the only insurance policy on a roster built to win a Super Bowl. 

Garoppolo is still the first option, as he's younger, cheaper, and has two seasons of familiarity with the organization already. His previous contracts with the Rams came in at just over $3 million annually, and the fit is comfortable on both sides if the price is right. 

But the fact that McVay named Cousins by name, confirmed the team has reached out to his agent, and did it all publicly at the league's annual meeting suggests there's some serious interest there. 

Cousins is 37, coming off two seasons in Atlanta where he passed for 5,229 yards and 28 touchdowns, and led the Falcons on a four-game winning streak to close 2025.  

Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images 

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