Kirk Cousins Likely To Wait Until Saturday To Waive No-Trade Clause
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins could watch the first round of this year's NFL draft on Thursday night to see what the QB landscape looks like before waiving his no-trade clause on Friday to allow for a possible trade. However, Underdog's James Palmer writes that it seems more and more likely that Cousins could be waiting to see how the second round plays out on Friday night before making any decisions. The 36-year-old veteran signal-caller has made it clear that he wants to be a starter elsewhere over serving as Michael Penix Jr.'s backup in 2025. After Penix took over for the struggling Cousins late last year, the veteran QB prefers to be traded to a team that doesn't have a young up-and-coming signal-caller on the roster already. The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings have been mentioned as the three most likely candidates to consider trading for Cousins during the draft.
Browns, Steelers, Vikings Could Target A Trade For Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons are bound to be having many trade conversations during this week's NFL draft that involve quarterback Kirk Cousins, and The Athletic's Dianna Russini points out the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings as the most likely suitors for Cousins, who signed a four-year deal with Atlanta in free agency last year, only to play 14 games before being benched by rookie Michael Penix Jr. The Vikings, where Cousins played for six seasons, is the least likely of the trio to trade for Cousins, who must approve any trade. Russini writes that he's not eager to go to a team with a promising young QB like J.J. McCarthy. If the veteran signal-caller is traded during this week's draft, it would likely happen on Saturday. The Falcons have made it clear that they're moving forward with Penix as their starter, and Cousins has told the team that he would rather play elsewhere as a starter than back up Penix again.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins reported to voluntary OTAs on Tuesday, according to NFL.com. His arrival was a surprise to some Falcons staffers, but his presence in the building shows the relationship between him and the organization is still cordial. The Falcons have said they are willing to pay Cousins $27.5 million to back up second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., but the veteran would prefer to be traded somewhere he can start. However, starting quarterback roles around the league are now scarce, and options will be further reduced following the 2025 NFL Draft. Cousins was benched for Penix last season after throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 14 games. It remains to be seen how this situation will play out, but Atlanta could hold onto him in hopes of a fruitful trade offer at some point this offseason or during the 2025 campaign.
Falcons Have Had Trade Discussions Regarding Kirk Cousins
The Atlanta Falcons have said publicly that they aren't interested in trading quarterback Kirk Cousins but that they'd entertain offers if the right deal is on the table. According to sources, they've privately had talks with other teams and have asked for a lot in return. Specifically, the Falcons have asked any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $37.5 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins' contract. No team has been willing to do that to date, and no teams are expected to be willing to. However, what happens during this week's NFL draft could influence how much guaranteed money a team might be willing to take on from the 36-year-old veteran's contract. The Vikings or Steelers could be willing to pay down to around $10 million for Cousins. He did not look good in his first season coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and was eventually benched for rookie Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16 last year.
Kirk Cousins Not Expected To Attend Voluntary Offseason Training
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is not expected to participate in the team's voluntary offseason training program, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Cousins is just over a year removed from signing a four-year, $180 million contract ($100 million guaranteed) but was benched after throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games last season for first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. The team has stated they are comfortable keeping Cousins on the roster as a backup, but he could still be cut or traded at some point before the 2025 regular season.
There are a ton of moving parts with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins' situation this offseason, but SI.com's Albert Breer writes that Cousins could waive is no-trade clause after April's NFL draft. Breer believes Cousins wants to avoid the situation he found himself in with the Falcons last year when he was blind-sided by the Falcons' decision to select Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Before accepting any potential trade, the 36-year-old veteran has signaled to interested teams that he wants to wait until after the draft to pick his new team. Breer has heard that Cousins' camp would be amenable to working out the particulars of a trade before the draft on the contingency that a team willing to trade for him wouldn't take a QB in the first round. The Falcons are willing to make Cousins the highest-paid backup in the league, but a trade still seems more likely to happen. The Browns are the most probably landing spot.
A league source told Josina Anderson that both Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis came up in recent preliminary trade inquiries or internal discussions. "Atlanta has been getting calls," the league source said, while also saying, "the Titans would like to transition." The Falcons continue to say they're willing to pay Cousins top money to serve as their backup in 2025, and they even kept him past last Saturday's $10 million guarantee deadline. However, Cousins doesn't want to be a backup, and Atlanta could give in if they get the right return, although they'd probably have to eat some money, too. The Titans are clearly ready to move on from Levis, who was benched last year, but it remains to be seen what kind of trade market he'd even have. It's looking a lot more likely that the Titans may hang onto the No. 1 overall pick and take Miami QB Cam Ward.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins will remain on the roster on Saturday past 4 p.m. ET, solidifying his $10 million roster bonus for March of 2026. Pelissero also notes that if Cousins is eventually traded or released, Atlanta's obligation is subject to offsets. Cousins started 14 games for the Falcons in 2024, though he woefully underperformed, racking up an 18:16 TD:INT ratio before getting benched for rookie signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. in Week 16. It's a strange move for the team, as it would seemingly behoove them more to trade the 36-year-old, especially considering he's made it clear that he prefers to start rather than ride the bench. With that said, you can't fault Atlanta, as Cousins would be one of the more competent backups in the league.
NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reports that the Atlanta Falcons don't intend to release quarterback Kirk Cousins. The 36-year-old, who signed a four-year $180 million deal with the Falcons last offseason, had a lackluster year while recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in 2023. With Cousins' inconsistent play deteriorating in the back half of the season, the team eventually turned to rookie gunslinger Michael Penix after a stretch of four weeks in which the veteran racked up eight interceptions and no touchdowns. It's worth noting that the Michigan State alum plans to continue his career in 2025, whether that is with the Falcons or not. However, a no-trade clause in his contract adds an extra layer of difficulty to the situation. Currently, it appears Cousins could spend his fourteenth season in the league in a backup role. He won't be on the fantasy radar if that's the case.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini reports that teams that have been interested in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins around the league have been told that the Atlanta Falcons won't move him. Per SI.com's Albert Breer, Cousins asked for and was granted a meeting with owner Arthur Blank on Wednesday to discuss his future, according to sources. The 36-year-old wants to go somewhere where he can start in 2025, but Falcons brass has said they will do what's best for the team at the position. The Falcons have held firm on their stance that they are comfortable keeping Cousins as the most expensive backup in the league this year after he threw 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2024 and was benched in favor of first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. It's hard to envision Cousins sticking around as a backup after signing a four-year, $180 million deal last year. He could request a trade after April's draft. Stay tuned.
Kirk Cousins
• QB
•
Falcons
