It sounds prefer it’s solely a matter of time earlier than quarterback Kirk Cousins is now not a member of the Atlanta Falcons.
Throughout a Sunday episode of “SportsCenter,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler mentioned he expects Cousins to debate his future with the Falcons earlier than the beginning of the NFL Scouting Mix, scheduled for Feb. 24-March 3 in Indianapolis. Cousins, after all, went 7-7 in 14 begins in 2024 earlier than he was benched in favor of rookie QB Michael Penix Jr.
“Cousins’ $27.5M wage is assured for this yr, so he is on Atlanta’s books. He is the backup quarterback proper now behind Penix. One thing there has to shake out,” Fowler mentioned (h/t Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp). “The NFL Scouting Mix is in a few week and a half. I anticipate Atlanta and Cousins’ agent to speak in regards to the future and see what they’ll shake out.”
Fowler instructed the New York Jets may very well be a possible touchdown spot for Cousins when he and the Falcons attain a choice.
“You realize, the New York Jets, as soon as upon a time, wished to signal Cousins,” Fowler mentioned. “He will be one in all their finest choices. He has recovered from his Achilles tear. And he is obtained a roster bonus due in March of $10M, in order that’s form of a synthetic deadline for him to discover a new workforce that ought to shake out.”
Nevertheless, New York or one other QB-needy workforce could let Cousins hit free company as a substitute of buying and selling for him. He turns 37 on Aug. 19 and can enter the second yr of a four-year, $180M deal subsequent season.
With that in thoughts, the Falcons will in all probability launch him with a post-June 1 designation. According to Over the Cap, that may incur $40M in lifeless cap and no cap financial savings.
Whereas expensive, shifting on from Cousins and rolling with Penix looks like the precise selection for the Falcons. In 2024, Cousins tossed a career-high 16 interceptions and completed twenty third within the league in QBR (50.4).
