The Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback situation with Kirk Cousins has been one of the biggest topics of the offseason.
When Cousins was benched for the final three games of the 2024 season for rookie Michael Penix, it looked like Cousins would be one and done in Atlanta after signing a four-year, $180 million deal in 2024. But despite all odds, according to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Cousins and the Falcons remain a work in progress.
“Something that seemed like a longshot a few months ago remains a reality: Quarterback Kirk Cousins is still a member of the Atlanta Falcons,” Raimondi wrote in a May 9 story. “The 13-year quarterback has been with the team a ‘handful of days’ already during the offseason program, though he does not have to be.”
The Falcons paid Cousins a $10 million roster bonus in March, set to take effect in 2026, Raimondi wrote.
“We love Kirk,” Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith said, according to Raimondi. “We love that he’s here.” But Smith also said, in respect to the idea of trading Cousins, “If something makes sense for us, then we will think about it.”
Smith said Atlanta was “‘constantly’ having discussions with other teams about potential trades, not just involving Cousins,” Raimondi wrote.
Kirk Cousins Adds Value to Falcons’ Roster
Cousins adds value to the Falcons’ roster as he is a veteran who can continue to be a mentor to Penix. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson understands the impact of having his presence in the building.
“Obviously, [Cousins is] in a role that he ended the season in, as backup, and [we] would expect him to — just like he did last year — just be there for Mike, be there for anybody on the offense,” Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said last week. “For me, when I’m up there installing, it’s not that much different. We had that same situation late in the season.
“When they made the switch, everybody got on board with it then, and everybody’s on board with it now. But Kirk’s a valuable player to this offense, to this team. And he’s here. We’re going to coach him just like we do every other player on the team.”
Cousin becoming a mentor can be major for Penix’s career. This approach can drastically shape a young quarterback’s development. Learning under a veteran allows a young quarterback to absorb the nuances of the game from decision-making under pressure to managing the locker room. It also builds confidence. Inexperienced quarterbacks often struggle not due to lack of talent, but because of information overload and the drastic leap in competition level. A mentor helps ground them, offering insights that can only come from experience.
Falcons Still Must Make a Final Decision
Atlanta loves the things that Cousins brings to the team however, they will still have to make a decision about his future. Cousin has been clear that he wants to remain a starting quarterback in the league. There are several teams in the league that will be looking for a quarterback who has starter experience, such as Cousins. A trade could also be a possibility for Atlanta during the preseason, as injuries and bad quarterback performances could come into play.
Atlanta Falcons Deal With ‘Reality’ of Kirk Cousins Situation: Writer