When the Atlanta Falcons made it clear that Michael Penix Jr would be their starting quarterback in 2025, many around the league expected Kirk Cousins to be released early this offseason. However, instead of taking the approach that the Denver Broncos did with Russell Wilson, it appears Atlanta is playing out a strategy.
Cousins, heading into his age-37 season, is coming off a career-worst year. In his lone season as the Falcons starting quarterback, he finished with his lowest QB rating as a full-time starter and threw a career-high in interceptions (16) despite playing in just 14 games.
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- Kirk Cousins stats (ESPN): 3,508 passing yards, 18-16 TD-INT, 66.9% completion rate, 7.7 ypa, 88.6 QB rating, 28 sacks taken in 14 games
With Penix poised to take over as the Falcons starting quarterback in 2025, Cousins is shifted into a backup role. For a variety of reasons – from his conflict with the organization to his exorbitant salary – many expected Cousins to be released. However, Atlanta is still rostering him with a $10 million bonus due on March 17.
Many around the league still expect Cousins to eventually be released with Atlanta taking on the massive dead cap hit and being on the hook for a majority of his salary in 2025. For now, though, the Falcons front office appears to be trying to take advantage of two teams in the NFL quarterback carousel.
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Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports wrote about how the Falcons’ motivations are likely tied into the limited options for “veteran bridge quarterbacks” available right now. Specifically, recognizing that one of the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers will wind up without one of their top options.
“If that sounds like the Falcons are putting some teams into their crosshairs for a squeeze, it’s because they are. Specifically, the Cleveland Browns and possibly the Pittsburgh Steelers, depending on what happens with Aaron Rodgers.”
Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson on the Atlanta Falcons strategy with Kirk Cousins
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- Kirk Cousins contract (Spotrac): $40 million cap hit in 2025
NFL rumors have heavily tied the Giants and Steelers to Aaron Rodgers while all three teams also have interest in Russell Wilson. If New York lands Wilson, Cleveland is likely without a viable starting quarterback and Pittsburgh would be in a similar spot if Rodgers signs with New York and Wilson joins the Browns.
As of now, per Robinson, the Falcons “would be fine” keeping Cousins as their backup quarterback in 2025 even if he’s unhappy about the role. The team’s perspective on it is that if Cousins’ salary is already on the books for the upcoming season, they might as well keep him. It might all a message to create leverage with the hopes of making a trade with Pittsburgh or Cleveland, but it is the Falcons’ strategy right now.
