The NFL offseason is in full swing as teams try to build out their rosters and free agents find their new homes. For the Atlanta Falcons, their biggest question remains unresolved, as Kirk Cousins is still on the roster.
The latest commentary from Yahoo Sports' senior NFL insider, Charles Robinson, suggests that the Kirk Cousins saga is nowhere near getting resolved. In fact, he believes the Falcons are going to lock in the additional $10 million roster bonus for the veteran quarterback on Sunday. This means that the 36-year-old signal-caller will either have to be traded or start the season as Atlanta's QB2.
I thought the #Falcons were bluffing about keeping Kirk Cousins. I don’t think that anymore. They’re going to roll right through the Sunday deadline to lock in another $10 million in 2026 guaranteed salary and see where this goes. Either he’s a pricey backup or a trade candidate.
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 12, 2025
Falcons Reportedly Not Bluffing About Holding Onto Kirk Cousins
Earlier in the offseason, the Falcons teased the possibility of holding onto Cousins. They revealed that they were open to the idea of having him as a mentor and a backup for Michael Penix Jr. Nobody around the NFL, however, took this seriously, many assuming that this was a bluff with the hopes of increasing Atlanta's leverage in trade negotiations.
It turns out that the Falcons may not be bluffing.
This is a surprising development since all signs point to Cousins wanting out of Atlanta. He is reportedly interested in a starting role. While he would likely be the best backup quarterback in the NFL, that is a luxury the Falcons can't afford to have.
If the Falcons trade Cousins prior to June 1, they will get $2.5 million in cap savings and have $37.5 million in dead cap. If they trade him after that date, their cap savings go up to $27.5 million. For this to happen, however, a team has to agree to trade for him, which seems less likely by the day. With each passing day in free agency, more teams make their quarterback moves, leaving fewer and fewer landing spots for Cousins.
Cutting Cousins, however, doesn't save Atlanta any money for 2025. That is why GM Terry Fontenot has been hesitant to release him against Cousins' desires. What happens next in this saga will be fascinating to watch for Falcons and NFL fans alike.