4 days agoNFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Kirk Cousins will remain on the roster on Saturday past 4 p.m. ET, solidifying his $10 million roster bonus for March of 2026. Pelissero also notes that if Cousins is eventually traded or released, Atlanta's obligation is subject to offsets. Cousins started 14 games for the Falcons in 2024, though he woefully underperformed, racking up an 18:16 TD:INT ratio before getting benched for rookie signal-caller
Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. It's a strange move for the team, as it would seemingly behoove them more to trade the 36-year-old, especially considering he's made it clear that he prefers to start rather than ride the bench. With that said, you can't fault Atlanta, as Cousins would be one of the more competent backups in the league.
--Alex CiullaSource: Tom Pelissero
2 weeks agoNFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports that the Atlanta Falcons don't intend to release quarterback
Kirk Cousins. The 36-year-old, who signed a four-year $180 million deal with the Falcons last offseason, had a lackluster year while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in 2023. With Cousins' inconsistent play deteriorating in the back half of the season, the team eventually turned to rookie gunslinger Michael Penix after a stretch of four weeks in which the veteran racked up eight interceptions and no touchdowns. It's worth noting that the Michigan State alum plans to continue his career in 2025, whether that is with the Falcons or not. However, a no-trade clause in his contract adds an extra layer of difficulty to the situation. Currently, it appears Cousins could spend his fourteenth season in the league in a backup role. He won't be on the fantasy radar if that's the case.
--Alex CiullaSource: Christian Gonzalez
2 weeks agoThe Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that teams that have been interested in veteran quarterback
Kirk Cousins around the league have been told that the Atlanta Falcons won't move him. Per SI.com's Albert Breer, Cousins asked for and was granted a meeting with owner Arthur Blank on Wednesday to discuss his future, according to sources. The 36-year-old wants to go somewhere where he can start in 2025, but Falcons brass has said they will do what's best for the team at the position. The Falcons have held firm on their stance that they are comfortable keeping Cousins as the most expensive backup in the league this year after he threw 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2024 and was benched in favor of first-rounder
Michael Penix Jr. It's hard to envision Cousins sticking around as a backup after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last year. He could request a trade after April's draft. Stay tuned.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
2 weeks agoAtlanta Falcons quarterback
Kirk Cousins makes the most sense for the Cleveland Browns to pursue this offseason, assuming the Falcons aren't serious about making him the most expensive backup in the league and eventually cut him, according to The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. The main reason it makes sense is that head coach Kevin Stefanski was Cousins' QBs coach and offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings for a couple years. Cousins was benched in favor of rookie
Michael Penix Jr. in 2024 after throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, but it was his first year coming off an Achilles tear. The 36-year-old is in decline but would make for a perfect, cheap bridge signal-caller if the Browns take Cam Ward or
Shedeur Sanders with the No. 2 overall pick, or if they wait and take someone like
Jalen Milroe later in the draft.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
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