The Atlanta Falcons remain in a holding pattern on Kirk Cousins' future.
Speaking Tuesday morning from the NFL's Annual League Meeting, coach Raheem Morris said the team is still comfortable with the veteran in a backup role behind Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback. Still, if a trade presents itself that works for both sides, the club would explore it.
"It's a business decision," Morris said, via NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. "What's best for Falcons. … We won't hold him back if the opportunity presents itself. He's made it clear he'd like to be a starter."
That desire to be a starting quarterback in 2025 could incentivize the signal-caller to waive his no-trade clause.
Morris added that he doesn't expect Cousins to report for the voluntary portion of OTAs -- which can begin for returning head coaches on or after April 21 -- but that if the QB did report, the Falcons would welcome him with open arms.
A $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season became fully guaranteed last month, and he's due a $27.5 million base salary for 2025. Even while eating a large chunk of dead money, Atlanta could get out of that by trading Cousins in the coming months. Given the cost of starting quarterbacks, that wouldn't be a horrible sum for another squad. The capital surrendered to acquire the 36-year-old would be another factor in any trade.
There are very few clear paths to a starting gig at this stage that could incentivize Cousins to waive his no-trade clause. The main option: Cleveland.
The Browns have admitted that the Deshaun Watson experiment failed. They need a fallback option other than Kenny Pickett. The draft is one path. The veteran market has little else in the way of starting-caliber players unless they're willing to trade for Cousins.
One big question in the Cousins saga is whether he'd be willing to waive his no-trade clause before the 2025 NFL Draft later this month or insist on waiting until after the selection process. Given that he was blindsided by the Falcons drafting Penix last year, Cousins might not want to commit until he's sure there is a path to starting in 2025.
