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NFL analyst on Falcons' final offseason task: 'Trade Kirk Cousins'
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- NFL analyst on Falcons' final offseason task: 'Trade Kirk Cousins'
The Atlanta Falcons have two starting-caliber quarterbacks on the roster as the 2025 NFL offseason winds down. Michael Penix Jr . is the starter and Kirk Cousins is expected to serve as the backup QB, assuming he's still on the roster by the time Week 1 rolls around.
Cousins lost his job late in the 2024 season, but his contract still had three more seasons on it, making the veteran QB tough to move. The June 1 deadline has finally passed, though, so now any trade would be more financially beneficial for Atlanta.
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NFL.com released a new feature highlighting each team's final offseason priority. For the Falcons, the message was clear: trade Cousins.
NFL.com on Falcons' top priority: "Trade Kirk Cousins "
The Falcons are taking a patient approach with Cousins, waiting for a team to potentially get desperate for his services. The Atlanta brass has consistently said it's comfortable with the veteran backing up Michael Penix Jr . Given the sunk cost on the contract and the fact that former Chargers backup Easton Stick is the next QB in line, that stance makes sense. However, if Cousins remains on the roster into training camp, it's only going to be a distraction -- even if he plays the mentor role perfectly. Already, Cousins' absence from OTAs became a storyline. Imagine how the QB dynamics might be viewed if Penix stumbles out of the gate. The Falcons are all-in on Penix. -- Kevin Patra, NFL.com
Falcons' cost of trading Kirk Cousins
Now that we are past the June 1 deadline, the Falcons can move Cousins and actually free up some salary cap space. While Atlanta would likely still need to eat some of Cousins' contract, a trade would mean the quarterback's next team would be on the hook for his $27.5 million salary. That would leave the Falcons with a dead cap hit of $12.5 million this season.
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Potential landing spots for Kirk Cousins in a trade
The Steelers make the most sense at the moment. Veteran Aaron Rodgers was expected to sign in Pittsburgh , but the longer he waits, the less likely a deal appears. A return to Minnesota has also been discussed. The Vikings have former top-10 pick J.J. McCarthy , but he's never played in an NFL game and Cousins could be a perfect bridge quarterback for one season. The Browns no longer appear to be an option after adding four quarterbacks ( Joe Flacco , Kenny Pickett , Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders ).
Prediction: Falcons will trade Cousins to Steelers
I know the team has maintained that Cousins could return, and I do think it's likely if a trade doesn't come together. However, the Steelers are in a win-now position and Cousins is arguably their best option. Tight end Kyle Pitts could be part of the deal as well since Pittsburgh has stated it wants to add another weapon.
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Falcons QB Depth Chart
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Michael Penix Jr.
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Kirk Cousins
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Easton Stick
Read our full Falcons quarterback breakdown for the 2025 NFL season HERE !
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Atlanta Falcons need to 'trade Kirk Cousins,' says NFL analyst
