The Atlanta Falcons are bound to be having many trade conversations during this week's NFL draft that involve quarterback Kirk Cousins, and The Athletic's Dianna Russini points out the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings as the most likely suitors for Cousins, who signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in free agency last year, only to play 14 games before being benched by rookie Michael Penix Jr. The Vikings, where Cousins played for six seasons, is the least likely of the trio to trade for Cousins, who must approve any trade. Russini writes that he's not eager to go to a team with a promising young QB like J.J. McCarthy. If the veteran signal-caller is traded during this week's draft, it would likely happen on Saturday. The Falcons have made it clear that they're moving forward with Penix as their starter, and Cousins has told the team that he would rather play elsewhere as a starter than back up Penix again.
Apr 23, 2025 1:04 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins reported to voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. His arrival was a surprise to some Falcons staffers, but his presence in the building shows the relationship between him and the organization is still cordial. The Falcons have said they are willing to pay Cousins $27.5 million to back up second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but the veteran would prefer to be traded somewhere he can start. However, starting quarterback roles around the league are now scarce, and options will be further reduced following the 2025 NFL Draft. Cousins was benched for Penix last season after throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 14 games. It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but Atlanta could hold onto him in hopes of a fruitful trade offer at some point this offseason or during the 2025 campaign.
Apr 22, 2025 2:51 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons have said publicly that they aren't interested in trading quarterback Kirk Cousins but that they'd entertain offers if the right deal is on the table. According to sources, they've privately had talks with other teams and have asked for a lot in return. Specifically, the Falcons have asked any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $37.5 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins' contract. No team has been willing to do that to date, and no teams are expected to be willing to. However, what happens during this week's NFL draft could influence how much guaranteed money a team might be willing to take on from the 36-year-old veteran's contract. The Vikings or Steelers could be willing to pay down to around $10 million for Cousins. He did not look good in his first season coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and was eventually benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16 last year.
Apr 21, 2025 11:41 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is not expected to participate in the team's voluntary offseason training program, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Cousins is just over a year removed from signing a four-year, $180 million contract ($100 million guaranteed) but was benched after throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games last season for first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. The team has stated they are comfortable keeping Cousins on the roster as a backup, but he could still be cut or traded at some point before the 2025 regular season.
Apr 1, 2025 2:15 PM EST
There are a ton of moving parts with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins' situation this offseason, but SI.com's Albert Breer writes that Cousins could waive is no-trade clause after April's NFL draft. Breer believes Cousins wants to avoid the situation he found himself in with the Falcons last year when he was blind-sided by the Falcons' decision to select Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Before accepting any potential trade, the 36-year-old veteran has signaled to interested teams that he wants to wait until after the draft to pick his new team. Breer has heard that Cousins' camp would be amenable to working out the particulars of a trade before the draft on the contingency that a team willing to trade for him wouldn't take a QB in the first round. The Falcons are willing to make Cousins the highest-paid backup in the league, but a trade still seems more likely to happen. The Browns are the most probably landing spot.
Mar 24, 2025 1:34 PM EST
A league source told Josina Anderson that both Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis came up in recent preliminary trade inquiries or internal discussions. "Atlanta has been getting calls," the league source said, while also saying, "the Titans would like to transition." The Falcons continue to say they're willing to pay Cousins top money to serve as their backup in 2025, and they even kept him past last Saturday's $10 million guarantee deadline. However, Cousins doesn't want to be a backup, and Atlanta could give in if they get the right return, although they'd probably have to eat some money, too. The Titans are clearly ready to move on from Levis, who was benched last year, but it remains to be seen what kind of trade market he'd even have. It's looking a lot more likely that the Titans may hang onto the No. 1 overall pick and take Miami QB Cam Ward.
Mar 18, 2025 10:32 PM EST
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will remain on the roster today past 4 p.m. ET, solidifying his $10 million roster bonus for March of 2026. Pelissero also notes that if Cousins is eventually traded or released, Atlanta's obligation is subject to offsets. Cousins started 14 games for the Falcons in 2024, though he woefully underperformed -- racking up an 18:16 TD:INT ratio before getting benched for rookie signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. It's a strange move for the team, as it would seemingly behoove them more to trade the 36-year-old. Especially considering he's made it clear that he prefers to start rather than ride the bench. With that said, you can't fault Atlanta, as Cousins would be one of the more competent backups in the league.
Mar 15, 2025 2:34 PM EST
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports that the Atlanta Falcons don't intend to release quarterback Kirk Cousins. The 36-year-old, who signed a four-year $180 million deal with the Falcons last offseason, had a lackluster year while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in 2023. With Cousins' inconsistent play deteriorating in the back half of the season, the team eventually turned to rookie gunslinger Michael Penix after a stretch of four weeks in which the veteran racked up eight interceptions and no touchdowns. It's worth noting that the Michigan State alum plans to continue his career in 2025, whether that is with the Falcons or not. However, a no-trade clause in his contract adds an extra layer of difficulty to the situation. Currently, it appears Cousins could spend his fourteenth season in the league in a backup role. He won't be on the fantasy radar if that's the case.
Mar 8, 2025 4:56 PM EST
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that teams that have been interested in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins around the league have been told that the Atlanta Falcons won't move him. Per SI.com's Albert Breer, Cousins asked for and was granted a meeting with owner Arthur Blank on Wednesday to discuss his future, according to sources. The 36-year-old wants to go somewhere where he can start in 2025, but Falcons brass has said they will do what's best for the team at the position. The Falcons have held firm on their stance that they are comfortable keeping Cousins as the most expensive backup in the league this year after he threw 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2024 and was benched in favor of first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. It's hard to envision Cousins sticking around as a backup after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last year. He could request a trade after April's draft. Stay tuned.
Mar 7, 2025 8:39 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins makes the most sense for the Cleveland Browns to pursue this offseason, assuming the Falcons aren't serious about making him the most expensive backup in the league and eventually cut him, according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. The main reason it makes sense is that head coach Kevin Stefanski was Cousins' QBs coach and offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings for a couple years. Cousins was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. in 2024 after throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, but it was his first year coming off an Achilles tear. The 36-year-old is in decline but would make for a perfect, cheap bridge signal-caller if the Browns take Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick, or if they wait and take someone like Jalen Milroe later in the draft.
Mar 7, 2025 5:44 PM EST
ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that trading quarterback Kirk Cousins before March 17 is the best course of action for the Atlanta Falcons from a salary cap standpoint. However, it might be tough for the Falcons to find a trade partner willing to take on $27.5 million guaranteed in 2025 and $10 million next year after Cousins was benched after throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2024. The Falcons would absorb $37.5 million in dead money on their 2025 camp if they trade him. If they release him outright before March 17, they'd take on $65 million in dead money this year. If they release him before March 17 as a post-June 1 cut, they'd take on $40 million in dead money this year and $25 million in 2026. The 36-year-old didn't look great coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and also dealt with a right-shoulder injury in 2024. It remains to be seen if a QB-needy team will be desperate enough to trade for Cousins.
Feb 26, 2025 11:57 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons are comfortable with keeping quarterback Kirk Cousins as a backup in 2025, according to general manager Terry Fontenot. If Atlanta keeps him on the roster to back up Michael Penix Jr., they will pay Cousins $27.5 million in 2025 while triggering $10 million in fully guaranteed money for 2026. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal last March but was benched for Penix after throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in 14 games. As the offseason continues to unfold, whether or not Fontenot is serious about keeping Cousins on the roster will be uncovered.
Feb 25, 2025 10:49 AM EST
The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns might only be able to afford players like the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins or Minnesota Vikings' Daniel Jones as their bridge quarterback this offseason. According to Over the Cap, Cleveland is projected to be $38.6 million over the 2025 salary cap, but the next anticipated restructure of QB Deshaun Watson's contract will clear up around $36 million in cap space. The status of QBs Derek Carr, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson will dictate how expensive Cousins and Jones will be this offseason. Cousins isn't a free agent, but the Atlanta Falcons probably will find it hard to trade him because of the $10 million roster bonus he's due after the start of the new league year. Cousins has familiarity with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski from their days with the Vikings. The Browns are expected to draft a QB at No. 2 overall this year, but Cousins could make sense as a bridge starter if he becomes a free agent.
Feb 10, 2025 6:32 PM EST
According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (shoulder) dealt with a shoulder injury during the back half of the 2024 season, which hindered his play. Cousins said that he suffered this injury following their Week 10 contest against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran said he "Got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow, and from there, it was kind of something I was working through." Then, over the final three weeks, the team opted to bench Cousins in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Before this injury, Cousins performed quite well, averaging 263.4 passing yards per game with a 17:8 TD:INT ratio. However, over his final four contests, the 36-year-old averaged just 218.5 passing yards per game and threw just one score with eight interceptions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the offseason as the team may look to find a trade partner, as Penix is viewed as their franchise option.
Feb 4, 2025 5:57 PM EST
After Atlanta Falcons veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched in Week 16 in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., the 36-year-old signal-caller said his future in Atlanta is still unsettled. "I definitely feel like I have a lot of good football left in me," Cousins said of his Falcons future. "Time will tell. It's still kind of uncertain. We'll get to March and know a lot more. But I think the focus for me really is getting healthy. That's really my focus is I gotta get healthy." Cousins tore his right Achilles in 2023 and missed half the season in his final year with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta. He was up and down in his first year in Atlanta but struggled with mobility and accuracy before being benched after a five-game stretch in which he threw one TD and nine interceptions. The way his deal is structured makes it almost impossible for the Falcons to trade him before June 1.
Feb 4, 2025 12:32 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said that the team is comfortable moving forward next year with quarterback Kirk Cousins as the backup to Michael Penix Jr. It's very unlikely that Cousins will be in Atlanta next year as a backup with a $40 million salary cap hit. The more likely outcome this offseason is that the Falcons end up trading Cousins to a team looking for a veteran QB while they find their signal-caller of the future in the draft. If Cousins were to be cut before June 1, he'd carry a $65 million cap hit for 2025. The 36-year-old is also due a $10 million roster cut on March 17, so if he's not traded, Atlanta is expected to cut him before then. Cousins was benched for Penix in Week 16 and ended up being a bust after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last offseason. The four-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a league-high 16 interceptions in his 14 starts.
Jan 9, 2025 12:26 PM EST
The Cleveland Browns could pursue veteran quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins for the 2025 season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Cleveland recently restructured Deshaun Watson's contract to presumably keep him on the team next season, but the team's desire to bring in quarterback competition has been well-documented. Both Rodgers and Cousins, who seem likely to be on new teams next season, are strong candidates to push for the starting job over Watson in Cleveland. Rodgers has come on strong with nine passing touchdowns over his last five games, but there has been plenty of speculation that he and the Jets are headed for a divorce. Meanwhile, Cousins was benched in the midst of his first season with the Falcons after tossing seven interceptions in a three-game span.
Dec 29, 2024 12:49 PM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is expected to be released before his $10 million roster bonus is due on March 17, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Cousins signed a hefty four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons last offseason, but the move hasn't panned out very well for Atlanta. The veteran quarterback has the Falcons at 7-7 and second place in the NFC East. He has completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and a career-high 16 interceptions. Cousins was benched for first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. ahead of Week 16, and with the news that he'll be cut loose next March, it's possible that the veteran signal-caller doesn't register another snap in a Falcons jersey. The 36-year-old's proven track record should help him land a job somewhere else, but he won't get nearly as lucrative of a deal. He likely won't be a shoo-in to start with his next team, either.
Dec 21, 2024 9:10 AM EST
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched in favor of first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. this week after throwing nine interceptions in a five-game span in which the team went 1-4. Cousins, 36, is unlikely to be the No. 1 QB in Atlanta again this year, and the chances that the 13-year veteran signal-caller comes back in 2025 as the backup are slim. Cousins has a no-trade clause after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last offseason with around $100 million guaranteed. If the Falcons cut Cousins, they'll get hit with $65 million in dead money. If they designate him a post-June 1 cut, they dead money would spread over the next two seasons -- $40 million in 2025 and $25 million in 2026. A trade could be pulled off if Cousins approves it, and in that scenario, the Falcons would be on the hook for the remaining $37.5 million of remaining proration. Cousins also has a $10 million roster bonus for 2026.
Dec 20, 2024 12:05 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons are benching quarterback Kirk Cousins heading into their Week 16 game against the New York Giants in favor of first-rounder Michael Penix Jr., according to head coach Raheem Morris. Despite signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason, the Falcons are turning the page as they try to secure a playoff spot in the final three weeks. In the last five games, the 36-year-old Cousins has really struggled, throwing only one touchdown and nine interceptions. He went 11-for-17 for only 112 yards with a touchdown and interception in Monday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders. Cousins leads the NFL with 16 interceptions and has failed to give the Atlanta offense the boost he was expected to provide. Penix, 24, has lots of upside as the eighth overall pick, but he's raw -- he's played in two games and has gone 3-for-5 for 38 yards. The strong-armed lefty will be a low-end QB2 with upside.
Dec 17, 2024 11:28 PM EST
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