Today was a key date in the Kirk Cousins saga, as a guaranteed bonus on the QB’s contract was set to kick in. The Falcons won’t be avoiding the extra financial commitment, as they’ll hang on to Cousins past the 4pm deadline today, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
[RELATED: Kirk Cousins Pushing For Falcons Release]
Specifically, keeping Cousins on the roster through today will trigger a guarantee on a $10MM roster bonus that is due in 2026. After collecting $62.5MM of his total contract in 2024, Cousins is due another $27.5MM in 2025. Combined with this guaranteed 2026 roster bonus, Atlanta’s total commitment to the quarterback is now at $100MM.
The Falcons have made it clear that they intend to roll with Michael Penix Jr. in 2025. Still, the organization hasn’t shown any urgency to bail on their previous blockbuster addition. Cousins will continue to be the subject of trade rumors, and today’s decision buys the Falcons as much time as they want to find a resolution.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the $10MM in guaranteed money for 2026 is subject to offset language. That means the Falcons could simply find a suitor who’s willing to pick up this portion of the bill. In other words, this temporary commitment could ultimately cost Atlanta no money if they find a willing trade partner.
Cousins was reportedly pushing for his release, and the veteran possesses some leverage with his no-trade clause. Still, GM Terry Fontenot has made it clear that he’s willing to proceed with Cousins on the roster, and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says the front office “has shown no motivation to move him.” This is surely some gamesmanship from the organization, as it’s hard to envision the Falcons rostering such a high-priced backup. Still, the team is clearly operating without any sense of urgency, whereas Cousins would surely like a resolution as soon as possible.
Cousins inked a four-year, $180MM deal with the Falcons last offseason, with $90MM guaranteed at signing. The organization shocked many when they used a first-round pick on Penix, but their bold decision proved to be worthwhile when Cousins showed signs of rust. In his return from a torn Achilles, Cousins guided his new squad to a 7-7 record while tossing 18 touchdowns vs. a league-leading 16 interceptions.
Bruh
Kirk to Cleveland makes too much sense. Not sure why they can’t make it happen?…Falcons are going to eat a lot of money not matter how it shakes out. They need to let this man go lol
If the Browns are going to draft Shedeur Sanders why bring in Cousins? They already have Kenny Pickett as a veteran bridge QB if needed.
You’re both right. Current market is dictating Lenny competing with Ward or sanders in camp for Job. Browns just paid Garrett and still have Watson stealing paychecks taking on cousins current contract would kill them
But I also think browns are best spot for cousins. He can compete with Pickett for job and they can use their pick for a edge rusher
If Cousins could be had for vet minimum, the Browns absolutely could bring him in. But given the amount of money they already have tied up with QB (Watson) there’s no way they can bring in Cousins unless Cousins is released by the Falcons. I see no scenario by which the Browns trade for Cousins and his contract.
Makes sense.
You are right..impossible to add that salary.
Who is taking on all that money?
The IRS
Worst case scaneio only team I can imagine is giants if they fail to get Russ or Aaron
I mean, Giants are going to be bad either way. If they intend to draft a QB, getting someone like Flacco instead actually isn’t the worst thing in the world. In fact, I would prefer that over Rodgers and his drama.
I think everyone forgets how desperate multiple teams are by week 8 for a quarterback that isn’t dead. He’s much more valuable to hold onto for now than cut and allow someone else to scoop up for the vet minimum. They have to pay him either way, so better to have a quality backup option than have to go spend more than the vet minimum to bring in a depth piece. It never made sense, so this shouldn’t be a surprise.
Aaah so you think they waiting for best time to trade a QB needy team cousins?
I don’t think the teams that need a QB right now are desperate enough yet with draft and Rodgers or Wilson still available to talk yourself into. A few weeks into the season, absolutely.
I don’t wish injury on anybody but what you’re saying makes sense. And it’s two birds one stone for Atlanta too they have leverage stock if someone loses their QB1 and also he’s a veteran backup god forbid anything happen to Penix.
Trouble is that teams won’t have that much cap. 8 games into the season and he’ll still be owed close to 20 million
The Falcons blowing $100MM on Cousins almost has me convinced the Bears got a great deal when they gave Mike Glennon $40MM for a single win…lol.
All quiet on the QB front today
.. and Steelers fans starting to like the idea of Mason Rudolph starting
You have an OL that ranked 29th in pass protection so does it really matter who comes through the revolving door at QB?
No one is trading for Cousins. The Falcons are so ineptly run.
Now do Cleveland.
Agreed. But I don’t see the Browns being so inept as to trade for Cousins’ contract.
Yet…
Browns were inept enough to trade a boatload of picks for Watson and to fully guarantee his contract. In fact, they out-inepted the Falcons for that honor. So I wouldn’t put it past them.
I didn’t know Nico Harrison was also the Falcons GM
Why? This is so Falcons-like.
Captain Kirk’s agent deserves all the praise in the world for churning contract after contract for this guy. In his prime he was no slouch but never next level. The Falcons just took the bait from an adroit agent doing his thing