NFL
What Are The Falcons Going To Do With Kirk Cousins In NFL Free Agency?
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Get to know Dan Girolamo betterPublished24 Feb 2025
The Atlanta Falcons and quarterback Kirk Cousins are headed for a breakup. How it happens is still to be determined. What will the Falcons do with Kirk Cousins during NFL free agency?
What Is Kirk Cousins’ Contract Situation?
Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and HC Raheem Morris are scheduled to make their rounds with the media tomorrow at the NFL Combine. Topic No. 1 is going to be about Kirk Cousins. So, here are a few quick notes on his contract to freshen up a bit ⤵️https://t.co/0KK4CAeJ6A
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) February 24, 2025
One year ago, Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons to be their starting quarterback. $100 million of that contract is guaranteed. Cousins was already paid $62.5 million for 2024.
Cousins’ tenure likely ended once head coach Raheem Morris benched Cousins for rookie Michael Penix Jr. before Week 16.
Atlanta has an out on the deal for 2026, but not 2025.
Therefore, paying Cousins nearly $30 million to sit on the bench in 2025 is not a pragmatic option.
The Falcons will either cut or trade Cousins.
Atlanta would definitely prefer to trade Cousins. That way they don’t have to fit most of the bill for his salary this season.
However, Cousins has a no-trade clause. What team would give up assets for a 36-year-old quarterback coming off a rocky season? The answer is probably zero.
The Falcons will likely have to cut Cousins. The date to watch is March 17. Cousins is scheduled to make $27.5 million in 2025, but a roster bonus of $10 million injury guarantee kicks in on March 17 if he’s on the Falcons.
Teams know Cousins holds all the leverage, so they will likely wait for Atlanta to release the veteran quarterback.
Kirk Cousins’ Next Team Options
"I think a plan would be not to draft a QB RD 1 but to trade down get a backup get Kirk Cousins and have 3 guys in the room who you can compete with."
–@JoshCribbs16 lays out a vision for the Browns to build a competitive roster next year #DawgPound pic.twitter.com/QV0hKRMbSn
— The Return With Josh & Maria Cribbs (@TheCribbsShow) January 6, 2025
Let’s pretend Cousins is released before his injury guarantee. With the Falcons paying Cousins nearly $30 million to go away, teams will probably want to sign the quarterback to a cheap deal, similar to what the Steelers did with Russell Wilson.
If this happens, Cousins will be an attractive option to several teams that need a veteran bridge quarterback.
The Cleveland Browns immediately come to mind as a landing spot for Cousins.
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski worked with Cousins for two seasons in Minnesota. With Deshaun Watson set to miss nearly all of 2025, Cousins could be the perfect bridge quarterback for 2025 before finding a permanent solution in 2026.
Speaking of the Steelers, Wilson and Justin Fields are set to become free agents. Perhaps Mike Tomlin wants to try another cheap veteran in Cousins to help end his six-game playoff losing streak.
