The first week of April is officially in the rearview, and Kirk Cousins' future with the Atlanta Falcons isn't any clearer than it was at the start of the NFL offseason. The Falcons have yet to find a trade partner for the 36-year-old quarterback, who lost the starting QB job to Michael Penix Jr. and is much too expensive to be a backup.
As much as Falcons fans would love for this offseason saga to end, it's clear that what's left of the $180 million on Cousins' contract will be an obstacle in finalizing a deal. Frustration will only keep growing with each passing day, leading to the veteran passer pleading with the franchise to put an end to the drama once and for all.
Kirk Cousins Pleads With Falcons to Cut Him Amid Trade Uncertainty
On Thursday, Falcons beat reporter D. Orlando Ledbetter appeared on 92.3 The Fan Cleveland to discuss Cousins' future in Atlanta. After all, the Browns have often been viewed as the top destination for the four-time Pro Bowl QB's services this offseason.
With the Browns reportedly unwilling to absorb the monstrous cap hit, Ledbetter reports that Cousins would prefer to be cut as soon as possible rather than wait for a trade.
"(The Browns) can't really trade for (Cousins), Ledbetter said. But if the Falcons cut him loose, which is what he's asking for, then you could sign him for a minimum (contract), like $1.2 million like Russell Wilson did with the Steelers, and go from there."
Kirk Cousins prefers to be cut loose, per @DOrlandoAJC https://t.co/dR4MnbT8fq
— Matt Tabeek (@MatthewTabeek) April 4, 2025
Even though the door isn't completely closed on a trade, Ledbetter added that the majority of the NFL views Cousins' contract as "untradeable." Unless any interested suitor is willing to do some heavy restructuring, chances are a buyout is the former 2012 fourth-rounder's likeliest path to a fresh start.
The Falcons have all the leverage in this situation, meaning they likely won't be in a rush to address Cousins' plea. As much as he wants to go to Cleveland (or elsewhere) as soon as possible, Atlanta general manager Terry Fontenot will hold on to the disgruntled QB until he's fully confident that a trade won't materialize.
Cousins has had an NFL career to remember, racking up nearly 43,000 passing yards with 288 touchdown passes and four Pro Bowl nods across his 13-year career. Even though plenty of QB-needy teams would love to add a gunslinger with that resume, Cousins is unlikely to go anywhere as long as he's on his current contract.
Time will tell if the Falcons ultimately grant Cousins' wish before the 2025 NFL draft, which begins on Thursday, Apr. 24, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI.