Kirk Cousins' time with the Atlanta Falcons was supposed to be a major turning point for both player and franchise. Instead, just one year into his four-year, $180 million deal, Cousins finds himself stuck in a holding pattern with no starting job and little leverage to force his way out.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the veteran quarterback had one clear path out: Pittsburgh. “Kirk Cousins was hoping to get out of town, be a starter for a new team, and he looked at Pittsburgh as he could be a potential Plan B for them,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “Well, that is off the table, and it is a dry quarterback market for Cousins to try to get in a trade.”
That Rodgers-to-Steelers move closed what many believed to be Cousins’ last realistic chance of starting in 2025. Fowler added that while Cousins wants out, the Falcons haven’t shown the same urgency. One source told him, “If they were willing to take maybe $7 million or $8 million on an offset from another team two months ago, this could’ve gotten done.”
With the Browns crowded, the Steelers spoken for, and the Saints an unlikely in-division trade partner, there may not be another seat left when the music stops. Atlanta’s best option may now be to simply wait — likely holding onto Cousins through training camp in case another team suffers an injury.
A trade would still benefit Atlanta financially. Moving Cousins now would free up $27.5 million in savings, a much more favorable outcome than the mere $2.5 million they’d have saved before June 1. But cutting him outright would still cost the team $10 million.
Cousins’ on-field performance in 2024 didn’t help his market, either. He threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions before losing his starting job to rookie Michael Penix Jr.
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Cousins is now expected to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp this week, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
“Cousins’ minicamp attendance is notable because the soon-to-be-37-year-old’s future remains in limbo,” Russini reported. “For now, the Falcons have Cousins penciled in as their backup to starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whom they selected with a first-round draft pick last year. However, Cousins would prefer to be traded to a team where he could start.”
Should Cousins decide to miss any of the mandatory dates, he would be subjected to severe fines.
"According to the NFL collective bargaining agreement, players are subject to a $17,462 fine if they miss one day of mandatory minicamp, then a $34,925 fine if they miss a second day. If a player misses the third and final day, the fine is $52,381," per ESPN.
Nevertheless, it looks like the Falcons have a very expensive backup on their roster.