With the NFL free agency underway, a power play is brewing in Atlanta. Kirk Cousins wants a move after being supplanted by Michael Penix Jr. Given the complicated details of his contract, it would make sense for both parties to move on. But Arthur Blank isn’t budging. Not only did he turn down the veteran’s QB’s request for a move, but he also had no qualms about keeping him beyond the fifth day of the new league season, knowing very well it would trigger his $10 million roster bonus. The Falcons want him as their backup QB and are reportedly in no hurry to trade him, clarifying that they hold the upper hand. Despite repeatedly stating that they want to keep him, they are willing to sit at the negotiating table for a trade only if their conditions are met.

The Falcons will only send Cousins over to another franchise if they are interested in paying some of the player’s $27.5 million guaranteed salary in 2025. However, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported, “No team is just going to tell Atlanta, ‘Hey, we’ll cover $20 million of that contract.’ Sure, and we’ll throw in a fifth-round pick. Like, nobody’s going to make that leap.” According to Fowler, if no team complies with the deal, the Falcons are happy to wait. With many teams still looking for a reliable name at the QB position and limited options in the upcoming draft, their stance could yet benefit them. So does it mean Cousins is powerless here? Well, not exactly.

Cousins wants the starting role at his next team, and his no-trade clause gives him the power to block any move he doesn’t like. Moreover, after seeing how things turned out in Atlanta, he also has no problem playing the waiting game. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer gave an insight into how the 36-year-old is planning his next move.

“Why would Cousins block a trade to a place where he can start? My understanding it would be chiefly to avoid the situation he found himself in last April when he was blindsided by Atlanta’s decision to take Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick…Rather than taking anyone’s word for it, Cousins has already signaled to teams that he would likely want to wait to see what happens over draft weekend before accepting a trade. In a way, that should also work for the teams, allowing them to go through a full draft process.” Breer wrote on Monday.

Notably, Cousins picked the Falcons over the Vikings, since Minnesota told him that they were going to draft a QB. Falcons, meanwhile, kept their plans under wraps, only to surprise him by selecting Michael Penix Jr. in the draft. Yet, Cousins started the season as the No. 1 QB, guiding the team through the first 14 games.

However, as the year wore on, his grip on the role began to slip. Atlanta’s brutal four-game skid from Week 10 to Week 14 proved to be the breaking point, not just for the team’s playoff hopes, but for his time as the starter. He struggled to find the end zone while throwing eight interceptions. His confidence wavered, and so did the coach’s faith in him. By Week 16, head coach Morris made the call: it was time for Michael Penix Jr. to take the reins. Understandably, Cousins wants to avoid a repeat and is willing to wait till the end of the draft to waive his no-trade clause. Still, any trade deal is filled with challenges for Atlanta.

If the Falcons trade or release him before June 1, they’d clear just $2.5 million in cap space while shouldering a massive $37.5 million dead cap hit in 2025, with lingering charges of $25 million in 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027. However, waiting until after June 1 would ease the financial burden, spreading the dead money evenly at $12.5 million per year over three seasons. More importantly, it would offer substantial cap relief, freeing up $27.5 million this year and a staggering $45 million in both 2026 and 2027. Hence, it is easy to see why Arthur Blank is not in any urgency to move him, and Cousins is also biding his time; the scenario seems ideal. But is it?

Waiting to make a decision until after the draft could backfire for Cousins. As Breer pointed out, “There’s risk involved here, too, from Cousins’s side in that he’d probably be able to get at least a one-year commitment as a starter somewhere, ahead of a team deciding to draft a quarterback—and such opportunity could dry up after the draft.” But Cousins might already be a step ahead in this regard.

“One thing I have heard Cousins’s camp would be amenable to is working out the particulars of a trade ahead of the draft, on the contingency that a team trading for him not take one in the first round. Of course, that would require working the money and compensation out ahead of time, and a lot can happen between now and the end of April,” Breer noted.

Top Comment by Foot_ball lover

A better question is…..should Kirk still be «benched» for next season as well? Absolutely not! For the Falcons to name...more

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Debate

The Falcons have shown an interest in trading Cousins, with general manager  Terry Fontenot reportedly “calling everyone right now that will listen.” But the question is, will any team take on Cousins’s full or even partial salary for 2025? If they want him as a starter, then why wouldn’t they? If a franchise still needs a QB at the end of the draft, Cousins and the Falcons might be able to negotiate a better deal for themselves with a desperate team.

Now that Kirk Cousins has also hinted that the trade would take place after the draft, it’s evident that the Falcons desire an all-cash deal.

With years of experience, the veteran QB could have been a key influence for any team that takes him. Last year, he appeared in 14 games and performed well in most of them. The man passed for 3,508 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per attempt and 250.6 yards per game. He led the Falcons to a 6-3 start, throwing 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions over the first nine weeks before his form tailed off.

While it is almost clear that Kirk Cousins will depart the Falcons, what can be his future? After all any team would love to have a QB like him, right?

The Browns and the Steelers are eager to get Kirk Cousins on board

2024 was a terrible year for the Browns. Finishing fourth in the AFC North with a 3-14 record, the team is in serious need of a seasoned QB. Rumor has it that the team has been weighing numerous choices, but has yet to make a decision. Kirk Cousins, however, is one of the players they are eager to sign. With his extensive experience and fast thinking, the team will look to a steady season with him under center. And on top of all these things, the Browns have the cap space and money that the Falcons are looking for. But Cleveland has some competition.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are also in the market for a QB. After a six-hour discussion, Mike Tomlin and the company decided to let Russell Wilson go. Since then, the organization has been actively looking for a new seasoned quarterback. Rumors suggest that the team wants Aaron Rodgers, but they may also go for Kirk Cousins.

Whatever team acquires Kirk Cousins from the Falcons will undoubtedly require a large chunk of money. After all, Atlanta would be requesting a lot of money for the trade, and Cousins’ base salary and cap money are both significant.

For 2025, the QB will receive a basic salary of $27.5 million, with a cap hit of $40 million and a dead cap value of $75 million. If the Steelers and Browns want Kirk to be their starting quarterback, they must carefully consider their options. But what are your thoughts? Is Cousins worth this much?