Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins recently met with team owner Arthur Blank, and reports indicate that the team has no plans to release him. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero confirmed the news, noting that Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract, which complicates any potential move. The initial report came from Albert Breer of The MMQB, further fueling speculation about Cousins’ future with the team.
Kirk Cousins Struggles in Atlanta, Raheem Morris Benches Him for Michael Penix Jr.
After signing a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons last offseason, Cousins faced challenges during his first year in Atlanta. Returning from an Achilles heel injury, he initially started strong but became inconsistent as the season progressed.
His struggles were particularly evident during the Falcons’ four-game losing streak from Weeks 10-14, where he failed to throw a touchdown and had eight interceptions. This downturn led head coach Raheem Morris to bench him in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16.
Michael Penix Jr. (NFL)Despite his benching, Cousins has expressed a desire to continue playing in 2025, whether with the Falcons or another team. With three years remaining on his contract, he carries a $40 million cap hit for the 2025 season. While he has $27.5 million in guaranteed salary for next year, there are no guarantees beyond that.
His contract structure makes it difficult for the Falcons to trade him before June 1, as doing so would result in $37.5 million in dead cap for 2025, along with additional penalties in 2026 and 2027.
Post-June 1 Trade Offers Financial Relief for Falcons and Kirk Cousins’ Future
A trade after June 1 would be more financially viable for Atlanta. In this scenario, the Falcons would spread out the dead money, incurring $12.5 million in each of the next three seasons.
However, they would also benefit from significant cap savings of $27.5 million in 2025 and $45 million in both 2026 and 2027. Given that the team has ruled out releasing Cousins, a post-June 1 trade appears to be the only realistic way for the Falcons to move on from him.
If the Falcons decide to trade Cousins before the 2025 season, his time in Atlanta will end with modest production. He would leave the team with 3,508 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. While his future remains uncertain, the financial complexities of his contract and the Falcons’ current stance suggest he may stay in Atlanta unless a trade materializes later in the offseason.
