“We won’t hold him back if the opportunity presents itself. He’s made it clear he’d like to be a starter,” said Falcons HC Raheem Morris a few days back while talking about their QB Kirk Cousins. He accepted that they were not expecting him in the voluntary OTAs. And what’s the bone of contention? The starting QB! He wanted to be the starter for the franchise. But they drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round (8th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft. On the other hand, Cousins signed a 4-year, $180 million deal with a no-clause trade.

Analysts are amazed at how many things can go wrong when the franchises don’t have a logical strategy in place. Podcaster John Middlekauff also had his doubts about the signal caller’s trade. While talking about the challenges to the trade on The Volume show, he said, “I don’t care what you say with Cousins showing up on your roster, you have to find a way to get rid of him. And I think in a perfect world, they trade him during the draft.” That is the perfect plan.

And the luckiest person in that scenario will be Browns HC Kevin Stefanski. Rumors are already strong about a reunion with Kirk Cousins. But in that scenario, things will become even more interesting. They choose 2nd in the draft. The starter, Deshaun Watson, is in rehab after re-rupturing his right Achilles tendon.

And their other QB, Kenny Pickett, has a long way to go. However, there are plenty of other things that need attention. Any trade would be possible after they decide what to do with the no-trade clause. If they remove that, a few other teams might also try to poach him.

However, there is one big flaw in this scenario. Most teams will try to draft a signal caller. It would help them in the long run instead of the 36-year-old player.

Kirk Cousins might not be trade favorite

While talking about how the trade might happen, Middlekauff also complained that the teams might lose interest in Kirk Cousins if they take too much time. While discussing the trade options, he added, “I’m sure there are some teams interested right now. That’s not a lot of teams. It’s gotta be a short list. But what if and let’s just say it’s two or three all end up with quarterbacks? What if they’re not interested in him anymore?” That’s the whole of Atlanta’s dilemma.

Are the Falcons listening to him? They have to make their move carefully. If they try to trade him before the draft, there are many chances of getting draft capital. Raheem Morris can try to get a money deal with some potential first or second-round (or later) picks in the coming draft. That will be a significant move if it happens.

Kirk Cousins is waiting silently. He has made up his mind to move out. The biggest roadblock is the clarity he wants on the role of starting quarterback. That’s a hard thing to get in today’s competitive sports era.