Story by
Former Vikings QB Feuding with New Team Yet Again…
- Story by
- Former Vikings QB Feuding with New Team Yet Again…
Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Life is all about choices, and for the past 10 months or so, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has to be questioning the ones he made this time last year. Cousins chased the bag again, and got his money from the Atlanta Falcons . Of course, we all know what happened next.
Before the ink had dried on his new $180 million contract , the Falcons were already drafting his replacement Michael Penix Jr. , with the No. 7 overall pick . Cousins and his representation were stunned by the move. Coming off a ruptured achilles tendon, Kirk struggled to find his form and was benched in favor of Penix after 14 starts.
Advertisement
Former MN Vikings QB Kirk Cousins Struggling to get out of Atlanta
Now unsurprisingly, Kirk Cousins reportedly wants out of Atlanta. Unfortunately for him, the Falcons aren't interested in paying him to leave town. If they're going to send the 36-year-old Michigan State alum direct deposits every week, they want him working for the Falcons, even if it means he's wearing a headset instead of a helmet on game days.
Sources: QB Kirk Cousins asked for, and got, a meeting with Falcons owner Arthur Blank on his future. Blank and Cousins had that meeting Wednesday night—the QB wants to go to a place where he can start in 2025.
The Falcons brass has said it'd do what's best for the team at QB.— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 7, 2025
As you can see, we have quite the QB conundrum down in the Peach State, involving our favorite controversial former Minnesota Vikings quarterback. Only Kirk would find an employer willing to pay him $100 million guaranteed , then stab him in the back prior to his first shift. And now, he's stuck with a team he's been feuding with since pretty much the moment he arrived.
Related: What Does Raiders QB Trade Mean for Vikings, Sam Darnold?
Advertisement
Albert Breer's report all but suggests that the guy writing Cousins' checks doesn't really care what he wants, at this point. Entering his 14th year in the NFL and just 1.5 seasons removed from an achilles tear, Cousins isn't getting any younger. If he doesn't find a way out of Atlanta this offseason, finding a new starting opportunity next offseason may not be that easy anymore.
Where does this leave Cousins and the Falcons?
In his 14 games last season under center for the Falcons, Kirk Cousins completed 66.9% of his passes, for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a league-leading 16 interceptions. Cousins was benched in favor of Penix for the final three games of the regular season.
CHARGERS ' FOURTH INT SEALS THE GAME. #LACvsATL pic.twitter.com/NoVPVcAHX3
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
The Falcons don't have any good options, and that's the problem. The most straightforward way out in his contract comes after the 2025 season, when they can save $40 million in dead cap by waiting. Releasing him now would incur a $65 million dead cap hit (instead of $40M against the cap on roster). If Atlanta waits until this time next offseason to release him, the dead cap hit will be just $25 million.
| Year |
CousinsCap Hit |
Dead Cap(if released) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
$25M |
$90M |
| 2025 |
$40M |
$65M |
| 2026 |
$57.5M |
$25M |
| 2027 |
$57.5M |
$12.5M |
Spotrac.com | Dead cap figures are pre June 1
Advertisement
What level of interest there would be in a trade remains unknown. For now though, Blank made it clear to Kirk Cousins that Atlanta will be doing what is best for their own quarterback room. Michael Penix Jr. is the only other rostered quarterback and they certainly aren't going to carry just one.
Related: Schefter No Longer Buying Sam Darnold + Vikings Rumors; Raiders Want JJ McCarthy
Ultimately it makes the most sense for the Falcons to swallow the loss on what was an odd decision from the get go, and move on from Kirk Cousins. If they don't think Cousins will create a distraction, they don't know him very well.
More must-reads:
Advertisement
