How willing are the Atlanta Falcons to continue an uncomfortable standoff with former starter Kirk Cousins? The veteran made headlines for failing to show up when OTAs first started. It is clear Cousins believes he should be a starter and wants to part ways with the franchise. Perhaps the quarterback has forgotten about his level of play at the end of the 2024 season, or the veteran's choice to lie about his injury situation at the end of the season.
Regardless, things have grown beyond uncomfortable, and the Falcons may attempt to rework the quarterback's deal. Either a team must be willing to take on a large portion of the veteran's deal, or Cousins must decide he is willing to sacrifice to have a chance to continue to start. This appears to be the direction we're headed, with how things are going downhill. There is also the wildcard of what Aaron Rodgers decides and whether or not the Pittsburgh Steelers might be pushed into desperation mode.
Kirk Cousins is Putting Falcons GM Terry Fontenot on the Offseason Hotseat
These are the only avenues Cousins has to escape being Atlanta's backup for the 2025 season. It seems that a solution is soon going to be found with the quarterback's camp pushing hard for the veteran to find a new landing spot.
While Cousins lacks any leverage whatsoever, it would be nice to have the veteran out of the way. Atlanta is attempting to turn the page to Michael Penix Jr., and having last year's starter looking over his shoulder could be viewed as an unneeded distraction. One big enough to offset the value of having the veteran quarterback as injury insurance.
All of this adds up to a team possibly reevaluating its approach. Being willing to turn the page on Kirk Cousins will require one side being willing to give in on current contract concerns. The only reasonable alternative remains the Steelers getting turned down by Rodgers. It would be an amusing reunion of former Falcons with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Cousins joining forces. No question, it appears increasingly likely the Falcons are parting ways with the star quarterback.