Who Should I Start? Kirk Cousins or Josh Allen

Wednesday, February 26, 11:57 PM

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.

Saturday, February 8, 12:40 PM

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who won the 2024 NFL Most Valuable Player award, could be looking for a new contract in the near future. He's scheduled to average around $32 million per year over the four remaining years on his current deal and just made $14.5 million this past season. The problem for Allen is that with four years still left on his current contract, the Bills are unlikely to be in any kind of rush to extend him. However, Graziano suggests the Bills could find some ways to adjust Allen's deal to bring him more in line with the QB market, much like the Kansas City Chiefs have done with superstar QB Patrick Mahomes since he signed his big deal in 2020. Despite falling short of the 4,000-yard passing mark for the first time since 2019, Allen threw 28 touchdowns and a career-low six picks and has 27 rushing TDs the last two years to finish as a top-five fantasy QB.