It’s just Week 3 of the NFL season, and trade deadline discussions have already ramped up. The deadline won’t even arrive until November 9, which will be just after Week 9 of the season. Of course, one of the top names expected to be on the trade block between now and then will be Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano lists Cousins as his No. 2 trade target, just behind Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. But the 37-year-old quarterback could be problematic to move.
The main problem the Falcons will have moving off Cousins is the $10 million he’s guaranteed in 2026. Graziano says that’s not all for Atlanta, though. The issue now may be asking the question of who could back up Michael Penix Jr.
“But the Falcons, who are under pressure to win soon, probably would have to find another backup QB they felt good about before moving on from Cousins,” Graziano wrote.
Right now, the only other quarterback in the organization is Easton Stick, who is on the team’s practice squad.
Kirk Cousins Reported to Be ‘Done’
Cousins has been benched going back to Week 16 of the 2024 season, replaced by No. 8 overall pick Michael Penix Jr. The former Washington Huskies signal-caller has taken over full time for Atlanta, leaving many to forget Cousins is even there.
That’s apparently how a lot of the league is viewing Cousins now, believing the veteran quarterback’s days under center are over.
“There were some people around the league that I talked to that think Kirk Cousins is essentially done,” James Palmer said, appearing on the Scoop City podcast. “I don’t know if that’s a universal thought or not.”
Cousins’ benching was warranted last year. He had nine total turnovers with only one touchdown in his last five games. But he was also dealing with an arm injury that he chose not to fully disclose, fearing he would lose his spot. That happened anyway after the Falcons lost four straight following a 6-3 start.
Falcons Playing it Safe Holding on to Kirk Cousins
At this point, it’s not the worst strategy for the Falcons to hold on to Cousins. They’ve already paid $12.5 million of his four-year, $180 million deal, and it’s not as if they can swindle any other team into taking on a large chunk of what’s remaining.
Cousins could also be the best backup in the league. If he’s fully healed from 2023’s Achilles injury and last year’s arm issues, then he would be plenty capable of running the offense again.
The Falcons also know of Penix’s extensive injury history. Although Penix spent a total of six years in college, only two of them were noteworthy due to his health. At Indiana he appeared in just 20 games after suffering two ACL tears in his right knee and two shoulder injuries from 2018 through 2021.
Penix himself even acknowledged his injury history in a letter to NFL general managers just before he was drafted.
The Falcons can’t afford to miss in their quarterback room right now. As much as Penix looks like he is the future of the franchise, trading Cousins would be potentially disastrous if he went down in the middle of a promising season.
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