Now that they no longer seem to consider Kirk Cousins as a viable option at the No. 1 quarterback position, what should the Atlanta Falcons do with the veteran, and especially his imposing contract?
Exchange it?
In any case, this would be the best scenario for the Falcons. It remains to be seen whether they will succeed.
The Falcons announced Tuesday that they will offer the next start, against the New York Giants, to rookie Michael Penix Jr. This means that after barely 14 games with the team, Cousins will have to be content with a spectator role on the sidelines.
Let’s say that this is not the kind of mandate that a player who has just signed a four-year pact worth a total of $180 million, with a guaranteed salary of $100 million, normally fulfills.
An NFL club does not pay such a sum for a quarterback who already has 16 interceptions on his record, an NFL record, and who is on track to end the season below 4,000 yards, a first in career.
So the Falcons could decide during the offseason to simply release Cousins. Of the $90 million they guaranteed to pay the former Minnesota Vikings quarterback when signing him as a free agent, the Falcons have already paid $62.5 million (signing bonus of 50 M$ + his base salary of $12M for 2024).
If they opt for this option, the Falcons will see an amount of $65 million be applied to their payroll, i.e. the $37.5 million remaining in his signing bonus, which was spread over the four years of his contract , and his guaranteed salary of $27.5 million for the 2025 season.
Cousins must also receive a $10 million bonus for 2026 if he is still on the Falcons roster on day 5 of the NFL’s 2025 year, which begins in March.
Trading Cousins before this date therefore remains the best solution for the Falcons. And good news for them, it appears to be feasible.
A team that makes its acquisition would in fact only have to pay $37.5 million for its services (salary of $27.5 million in 2025 + bonus of $10 million for 2026). A reasonable amount for a starting NFL quarterback.
Provided, of course, that a future buyer deems him capable of occupying these functions…
