The Atlanta Falcons are quickly nearing draft day, and they must determine what to do with Kirk Cousins. General Manager Terry Fontenot took a step toward making a decision when he stated that no deal for the backup quarterback is imminent.
Fontenot indicated the Falcons are solid at quarterback, according to Ari Meirov’s article on X.
#Falcons GM Terry Fontenot stated that they are comfortable keeping Kirk Cousins as the backup, paying him $27.5 million in 2025 and triggering an additional $10 million to become fully guaranteed for 2026 on March 17.
That seems unusual because that’s a lot of money to give to a backup quarterback. Furthermore, Cousins has had severe health difficulties over the last two seasons. As a backup quarterback, he is unlikely to sustain an injury. But there’s still a lot to play, including the additional guaranteed money.
Will the Falcons keep quarterback Kirk Cousins for 2025?
Cousins signed a four-year contract for $180 million with the Falcons in 2024. However, he did not meet the team’s expectations. And eventually, he was benched in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr.
Cousins, 36, had a terrible stretch last season, going four games without a touchdown pass and throwing eight interceptions.
There is dispute among the Fontenot regarding what the Falcons will do. “A cut is more likely,” stated Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
“I don’t see why Kirk Cousins would be motivated to facilitate a trade for the Falcons,” he wrote. “I don’t believe Atlanta will keep him on the roster as a backup. The essential date in this story is still St. Patrick’s Day. That’s because on March 17, a $10 million roster bonus for 2026 becomes completely guaranteed.
“So, while you might look at this now and say the team has already paid $62.5 million for 2024 and will be on the hook for the majority of the $27.5 million (minus whatever another team would pay him in ’25), the extra $10 million isn’t a required investment for Atlanta. In layman’s terms, you’d be looking at either footing a bill of little more than $26 million and turning the page to Michael Penix Jr., or hanging a held-hostage quarterback over the ’24 first-round pick for $37.5 million (minus what a team would offer him in ’26).
Cousins can wait it out and hope for Russell Wilson’s therapy. If the Falcons release him, he may sign with another team for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million.
Leave a Reply