Falcons Open to Kirk Cousins Trade… But There’s a Catch
Table of Contents
- Falcons Open to Kirk Cousins Trade… But There’s a Catch
- Cousins’ Future in Atlanta: Backup or Trade Bait?
- The Price of Doing Business: What It Takes to Trade for Cousins
- Kirk Cousins: By the numbers
- FAQ: Your Top Questions About the Kirk Cousins Trade
- 1. Why is ther speculation about a Kirk Cousins trade?
- 2. What are the main obstacles to trading Kirk Cousins?
- 3. Which teams might be interested in trading for Kirk Cousins?
- 4. What is the Falcons’ motivation behind possibly trading Cousins?
- 5. How much of Kirk Cousins’ salary would the Falcons want another team to take on?
- 6. What if the Falcons can’t trade Kirk Cousins?
- 7.What role does the no-trade clause play?
- 8. How does Kirk Cousins’ injury history affect trade talks?
- 9. What are the potential benefits for the Falcons if they trade Cousins?
- 10. What is the timeline for a potential trade?
Dec 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) prepares for a game against teh New York Giants at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Atlanta falcons are reportedly open to trading quarterback Kirk Cousins,but not without some meaningful stipulations. As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the Falcons are evaluating their options after a somewhat turbulent 2024 season with Cousins under center.The question remains: will Cousins stay in Atlanta, or will he be sporting new colors come September?
Cousins’ Future in Atlanta: Backup or Trade Bait?
Cousins’ arrival in atlanta during the 2024 offseason was one of the biggest free agency moves.Coming off an Achilles tendon injury with the Minnesota vikings, the falcons hoped cousins would be the missing piece to their playoff puzzle.However,his performance in 2024 was inconsistent. While he showed flashes of brilliance, he also struggled with turnovers.
Ultimately, Cousins led the Falcons to a 7-7 record before being benched in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. His 16 interceptions were a career high, averaging more than one per game. This led the Falcons’ coaching staff to make a bold decision,turning to Penix Jr. in the midst of a playoff push. While Penix Jr. showed promise, the Falcons ultimately missed the playoffs.
Penix Jr.’s performance has seemingly solidified his position as the Falcons’ QB1 for the 2025 season. This leaves cousins’ future uncertain. According to the Falcons’ general manager, all possibilities are on the table.
This includes keeping Cousins as a high-priced backup, a luxury few teams can afford, or exploring a trade.
The Price of Doing Business: What It Takes to Trade for Cousins
Trading Cousins isn’t as simple as finding a willing partner. Two key conditions must be met. First, Cousins himself must approve any trade, as his contract includes a no-trade clause. This gives him significant control over his destination. Second, the Falcons must receive adequate compensation.
While the Falcons haven’t publicly stated their asking price in terms of draft picks, reports suggest they want a significant portion of Cousins’ remaining salary off their books.
According to sources, Falcons would be willing to let their veteran quarterback go if the team who wishes to acquire it takes a large part of the salary remaining to be paid to cousins. of the remaining 45 million on its contract, the Falcons would require that the future franchise will take charge of at least $ 20 million.
This financial hurdle could be a major obstacle. With many teams facing salary cap constraints, finding a team willing to absorb such a large portion of cousins’ contract may prove difficult. It’s a situation reminiscent of the Brock Osweiler trade in 2017,where the Houston Texans essentially paid the Cleveland browns to take Osweiler and his massive contract off their hands.
The odds of a Cousins trade appear slim, but the NFL draft is known for its surprises. Could a desperate team make a last-minute offer? Only time will tell. Keep an eye on teams like the Denver Broncos or the Las Vegas Raiders, who might be looking for a veteran presence under center.
Further inquiry should focus on the Falcons’ long-term strategy at quarterback. Are they fully committed to Penix Jr., or is Cousins still part of their future plans? Also, exploring potential trade partners and their salary cap situations would provide a clearer picture of Cousins’ trade prospects.
Photo credit: © brett Davis-Imagn Images
Kirk Cousins: By the numbers
To understand the situation fully, let’s examine some key statistics from Cousins’ 2024 season and compare them to his career averages and potential trade destinations. This data will illuminate the challenges and opportunities surrounding a potential trade.
The Atlanta Falcons are facing a critical decision regarding their quarterback situation. With the ascension of Michael Penix Jr. and the complexities of Kirk Cousins’ contract, the team has multiple avenues to explore. A trade, while complex, could offer the Falcons financial flexibility and draft capital to improve other areas of the team.Keeping Cousins as a backup, though costly, provides proven depth at the most vital position.
| Statistic | 2024 Season (Falcons) | Career Average | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Games Started | 14 | 101 | Shows Cousins’ availability and experience. |
| Completion Percentage | 64.3% | 66.3% | Slight dip in accuracy, a potential concern. |
| Passing Yards | 3,782 | 28,580 | Solid yardage despite shortened season. |
| Touchdown Passes | 21 | 195 | Shows Cousins’ touchdown production. |
| Interceptions | 16 | 93 | A notable increase, a major red flag. |
| Sacks Taken | 34 | 254 | Under pressure at the most inopportune times in the pocket. |
| QB Rating | 86.7 | 95.5 | A noticeable drop, reflecting performance. |
| Contract Remaining | $45 Million | N/A | Major obstacle to any potential trade. |
Note: All statistics are sourced from official NFL game records.
FAQ: Your Top Questions About the Kirk Cousins Trade
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Kirk Cousins’ future with the Falcons and potential trade scenarios.
1. Why is ther speculation about a Kirk Cousins trade?
The speculation arises due to a few factors. First, Michael Penix Jr., a first-round draft pick, is now positioned as the starting quarterback. Second, Cousins’ inconsistent performance in the 2024 season, coupled with a high salary, makes a trade a viable option for the Falcons’ financial flexibility.
2. What are the main obstacles to trading Kirk Cousins?
The primary hurdles are Cousins’ no-trade clause, giving him final say on any potential deal, and his significant remaining salary ($45 million). Finding a team willing to absorb a large portion of that salary in exchange for Cousins is a major challenge due to the salary cap constraints many teams face.
3. Which teams might be interested in trading for Kirk Cousins?
Potential suitors could include teams needing a veteran quarterback presence, such as the Denver Broncos (where sean Payton needs a quarterback to make a push for the playoffs) or the Las vegas Raiders (who are consistently inconsistent in their QB play). Though, both these teams would need to be in a position to absorb Cousins’ salary or negotiate a restructured contract.
4. What is the Falcons’ motivation behind possibly trading Cousins?
The Falcons’ likely goal is to free up cap space to sign other players or acquire draft picks. Trading Cousins could also provide an possibility for Michael Penix Jr. to take full control of the offense without competition from a high-priced veteran.
5. How much of Kirk Cousins’ salary would the Falcons want another team to take on?
Reports suggest the Falcons would want another team to take on a significant portion of the remaining $45 million on Cousins’ contract, possibly around $20 million or more. This is crucial for the financial viability of any potential trade.
6. What if the Falcons can’t trade Kirk Cousins?
If a trade isn’t possible, the Falcons could keep Cousins as a high-priced backup.This would provide insurance at the quarterback position if Penix Jr. falters or is injured. This is less than ideal financially but might be the only option if no trade is forthcoming.
7.What role does the no-trade clause play?
the no-trade clause gives Kirk Cousins complete control over his destination. He must approve any trade, giving him considerable leverage. This means the Falcons can’t simply trade him to the highest bidder; Cousins must also agree to the move.
8. How does Kirk Cousins’ injury history affect trade talks?
Cousins’ past Achilles tendon injury might be a concern for potential trade partners. This injury history could impact the assessed value and how willing other teams would be to take on his contract, in addition to any potential performance concerns.
9. What are the potential benefits for the Falcons if they trade Cousins?
The Falcons could clear significant cap space, potentially gaining draft picks could be an alternative. These new assets can be used to bolster other positions through the draft or free agency, while also entirely handing over control of the offense to the newer and younger Penix Jr.
10. What is the timeline for a potential trade?
The situation could evolve quickly. As the NFL draft approaches, the Falcons will likely be more motivated to make a decision. Any trade would have to be finalized before the start of the 2025 season, although talks could intensify closer to the draft in late April or early May.
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