NFL free agency has finally arrived and the Atlanta Falcons are one of the most interesting teams to watch in the coming days.
Quarterback Kirk Cousins has been clear about his desire to start in 2025. The Falcons are seemingly playing hard ball by suggesting they're willing to keep him on the roster as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup. But all logical signs point to Cousins being with a new franchise next year, whether via trade or free agency.
Reports suggested that he was the leader in the clubhouse to take the Cleveland Browns job, though that idea might've just blown up in flames thanks to Myles Garrett's record-breaking new contract extension.
Joe Flacco on the #Browns' radar; Kirk Cousins might stay with the #Falcons: The latest on the Browns' search for a veteran bridge quarterback ---> https://t.co/NFvtEhRpXx
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) March 9, 2025
Kirk Cousins' Chances to Start for Browns Just Nosedived
Garrett signed a mammoth extension worth $40 million annually through 2030. Unless the Falcons cut Cousins outright, it's hard to see how the Browns could fit him in the salary cap based on his likely salary demands.
Even if Cleveland could find the room, signing Cousins doesn't make much sense anymore for the organization. Garrett's commitment to the team lessens the pressure on the front office to put a contender on the field immediately. If the superstar is here for the next five years at least, then it makes sense to be patient and find the right quarterback to develop.
Landing someone like Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, or Jaxson Dart while signing a cheap veteran would give the Browns time to build up their roster, complicating matters for the Falcons.
Cousins is many things, but a long-term solution is not one of them. The way Cousins handled Penix being drafted should raise questions about his viability as a leader for a developmental signal caller, especially if the rumors that he hid an injury to prevent losing his starting job are true. Either way, it makes little sense to pay top dollar for a mediocre quarterback who doesn't factor into the future.
At this point, it appears unlikely that Cousins will find a starting job. Perhaps he could go to the New York Jets or New York Giants, yet we're talking about someone who is immobile, oft-injured, rarely successful in the playoffs, and demanding a ton of money.
None of that sounds appealing, which suggests Atlanta may have missed its window to move Cousins. Therefore, guaranteeing that signing him was one of the worst decisions in franchise history.