Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield

Tuesday, May 27, 1:13 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he did not see quarterback Kirk Cousins at voluntary organized team activities on Tuesday. It shouldn't come as a surprise to many after the 36-year-old veteran signal-caller had a disastrous first year in Atlanta in 2024. He didn't play well coming off an Achilles tear the year prior and was eventually benched late in the year for rookie first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. Cousins will enter the 2025 campaign as Penix's backup, but he desperately would prefer to be traded to a team that will give him a chance to start again. Among the teams that could be willing to trade for him include the Browns, Steelers and Vikings, but the Falcons are going to need to facilitate a trade by eating a large portion of his $27.5 million guaranteed salary for 2025, which they so far have not been willing to do.

Thursday, April 3, 7:26 PM

Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reworked quarterback Baker Mayfield's contract to free up cap space. The Bucs converted Mayfield's $30 million base salary to a roster bonus, freeing up nearly $15 million. The team also added a void year for proration purposes in 2029. Tampa Bay has been resourceful this offseason, moving money around for Mayfield in addition to offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. All in all, the Buccos saved $50.12 million over the next few seasons. It seems unlikely that the money moves are in anticipation of signing a big-ticket asset and more so for down the road. Mayfield is entering his third season with the squad and will look to build off his spectacular 2024.