Kirk Cousins isn’t packing his bags just yet.
The Atlanta Falcons decided to keep their seasoned quarterback, prolonging his stay on the roster past Saturday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, and triggering a $10 million roster bonus owed in 2026. This comes after a tumultuous period where Cousins was benched in Week 16. His rough patch included nine interceptions and only one touchdown over five games. At that point, Atlanta announced that rookie Michael Penix Jr., the No. 8 pick from the 2024 draft, would be stepping up as their quarterback “moving forward.”
Initially, it seemed like Cousins’ days with the Falcons were numbered. Yet, during his end-of-season press conference, General Manager Terry Fontenot expressed that they felt “comfortable” with Cousins, 36, continuing as their backup quarterback. Skeptics suspected this was a tactic to maintain Cousins’ trade value. However, a league insider informed ESPN that, as of now, Cousins is expected to don an Atlanta jersey in 2025—unless a tempting trade offer changes the course.
Regardless of whether Cousins stays or goes, Atlanta is on the hook for $27.5 million of his salary in 2025. So, from a financial standpoint, retaining him as a high-cost backup to Penix isn’t entirely irrational. The $10 million roster bonus, protected after Saturday, pertains to 2026, with offsets applicable if Cousins exits the team. This strategy grants Atlanta more time to negotiate a potential trade.
Cousins, no doubt, has the itch to start in the NFL next season, and sources say he’s been frustrated with his current scenario. Reportedly, Cousins arranged a meeting with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, though the team hasn’t commented on this. The surprise drafting of Penix as Cousins’ successor last year certainly caught him off guard.
It’s important to note that should the Falcons entertain trading Cousins, he holds the power with a no-trade clause, meaning he must approve any potential deals.
