The Atlanta Falcons are nonetheless holding out hope that they may be capable to commerce Kirk Cousins sooner or later, and so they might have one closing alternative to take action subsequent month.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180M take care of the Falcons final offseason. The veteran quarterback was due a $10M roster bonus on Saturday, and Atlanta selected to pay Cousins the cash somewhat than launch him. That’s as a result of the objective is to commerce Cousins and have one other crew tackle at the very least among the 36-year-old’s contract, which runs through 2027.
Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports activities spoke with a present NFL normal supervisor on Wednesday who stated the Falcons “simply cannot” hold Cousins. When requested how seemingly it’s that Atlanta will discover a commerce companion, the GM stated the final opportunity could come after the NFL Draft.
“Possibly (Falcons GM Terry Fontenot) can get a crew that misses out on a QB to chew earlier than and even after the draft,” the GM informed Schultz. “That is his greatest shot — hoping somebody continues to be with no quarterback when the music stops. However they’re calling everybody proper now that can hear.”
Retaining Cousins by means of Saturday was really cheaper for the Falcons, though they needed to pay a $10M bonus. If Cousins have been launched as a pre-June 1 reduce, Atlanta would take up a $65M lifeless cap hit. That’s a part of the explanation the crew is so determined to commerce Cousins somewhat than simply reducing him unfastened.
Cousins misplaced his job to Michael Penix Jr. halfway by means of final season. The Falcons may merely hold him and have the most effective backups within the NFL, however Cousins would undoubtedly desire a possibility to start out elsewhere. Maybe a team that has been linked to Cousins will turn out to be determined sufficient for quarterback assist after the draft.
Cousins completed with 3,508 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions final season. He’s a four-time Professional Bowl choice and has a ton of expertise, however his contract is considered as extremely prohibitive.
