When the Atlanta Falcons (6-5) take on the Los Angeles Chargers (7-4) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m., Atlanta will be hoping to flip the script after two losses the previous week.

The Falcons lead the NFC South by one game over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and have a lot on the line in the final six games of the season.

And apparently that also applies to starting quarterback Kirk Cousins.

“The next six games could decide a lot about Cousins’ future,” ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler wrote on November 27. “He had shown he could get hot by scoring at least three touchdowns in three of his first nine games with the Falcons.” I expect Atlanta to have a clear plan for Cousins ​​before the recent two-game deficit who maximizes the passing game after the bye.

“But for you, the results were pretty good, but not ideal.”

Fowler’s statement came in response to another ESPN insider Dan Graziano, who asked a question about Cousins ​​and the upcoming events. For context, the question was asked in a subheading about the most interesting quarterback that could be available in the 2025 offseason.

Graziano’s case against Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in March but only has $10 million guaranteed after the 2025 season, centers on first-round rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who is currently is the team’s backup.

“It remains to be seen how things pan out in Atlanta, but they haven’t gone as well as the Falcons had imagined,” Graziano wrote. “And Michael Penix Jr. is sitting there behind (Cousins), turning 25 in May. Could the Falcons make Cousins ​​available in a trade after just one season if they think Penix is ​​ready to go? He would be an interesting veteran.” Catch-up for a team that thinks it is close.

But trading Cousins ​​makes little sense. The 36-year-old has completed 68.1% of his passes for 2,807 yards, 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Atlanta’s offense ranks fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game (243.6) and eighth in total yards (361.5).

The Falcons have struggled with inconsistency on offense, but their defense — which ranks fourth in the league in total yards, passing yards, scoring and sacks — has been much more problematic.

Add in the fact that Cousins ​​has a no-trade clause and a difficult contract to break, and the idea of ​​a trade should be dismissed at this point. But that still won’t stop some people from talking about it.

“Cousins ​​would have a trade market, but I can’t imagine a natural fit right now,” Fowler wrote. “The Raiders and Giants desperately need a quarterback upgrade, but Cousins ​​would prefer a contender, and neither team qualifies.”

“Fortunately for Atlanta, nothing needs to change right now. And Cousins ​​could very well stay in the Falcons jersey if the next six games go well.”

Cousins’ quest to end all potential – and unnecessary – trade talks begins Sunday against the Chargers at 1 p.m.