Kirk Cousins, the former Pro Bowl quarterback, is actively participating in the Atlanta Falcons’ mandatory minicamp this week, despite having previously requested a trade earlier in the offseason. Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons in 2024, was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. late in the 2024 season. The Falcons have yet to finalize their quarterback strategy for 2025, with Cousins expressing his commitment to the team and the possibility of competing for the starting role again.
While the coaching staff’s trust in Cousins waned toward the end of the season, Penix’s performance has yet to fully convince the Falcons to make a long-term commitment. With a cap hit of $27.5 million on Penix if he becomes the starter, the Falcons may consider trading Cousins if a trade opportunity arises. Cousins remains focused on contributing to the team’s development, regardless of his role.
Cousins was coming off a torn Achilles he suffered with the Minnesota Vikings in his 2023 campaign. It put a damper on what he was able to do with the franchise from 2020-22, throwing for over 4,200 yards in each of those three seasons, and he earned two Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2022. But he led the NFL in interceptions in 2024 (16) while only throwing for 18 touchdowns over 14 starts. The Falcons went 7-7 during that time, while Cousins threw for 3,508 yards.
If Penix is the way Atlanta is thinking in terms of a starting quarterback, then paying his backup $27.5 million would be less than ideal. That said, the Falcons would likely be proactive in moving Cousins to not have that cap hit on the books. That’s easier said than done, but perhaps a season-ending injury for another team during the year could prompt a quick trade.
For now, though, Cousins is focused on helping the Falcons, no matter what role that will be.