Atlanta Falcons DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

ESPN's Dan Graziano writes that trading quarterback Kirk Cousins before March 17 is the best course of action for the Atlanta Falcons from a salary cap standpoint. However, it might be tough for the Falcons to find a trade partner willing to take on $27.5 million guaranteed in 2025 and $10 million next year after Cousins was benched after throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2024. The Falcons would absorb $37.5 million in dead money on their 2025 camp if they trade him. If they release him outright before March 17, they'd take on $65 million in dead money this year. If they release him before March 17 as a post-June 1 cut, they'd take on $40 million in dead money this year and $25 million in 2026. The 36-year-old didn't look great coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and also dealt with a right-shoulder injury in 2024. It remains to be seen if a QB-needy team will be desperate enough to trade for Cousins.

The Atlanta Falcons are comfortable with keeping quarterback Kirk Cousins as a backup in 2025, according to general manager Terry Fontenot. If Atlanta keeps him on the roster to back up Michael Penix Jr., they will pay Cousins $27.5 million in 2025 while triggering $10 million in fully guaranteed money for 2026. Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal last March but was benched for Penix after throwing for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions in 14 games. As the offseason continues to unfold, whether or not Fontenot is serious about keeping Cousins on the roster will be uncovered.

The Athletic's Zac Jackson writes that the Cleveland Browns might only be able to afford players like the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins or Minnesota Vikings' Daniel Jones as their bridge quarterback this offseason. According to Over the Cap, Cleveland is projected to be $38.6 million over the 2025 salary cap, but the next anticipated restructure of QB Deshaun Watson's contract will clear up around $36 million in cap space. The status of QBs Derek Carr, Geno Smith and Russell Wilson will dictate how expensive Cousins and Jones will be this offseason. Cousins isn't a free agent, but the Atlanta Falcons probably will find it hard to trade him because of the $10 million roster bonus he's due after the start of the new league year. Cousins has familiarity with Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski from their days with the Vikings. The Browns are expected to draft a QB at No. 2 overall this year, but Cousins could make sense as a bridge starter if he becomes a free agent.

According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (shoulder) dealt with a shoulder injury during the back half of the 2024 season, which hindered his play. Cousins said that he suffered this injury following their Week 10 contest against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran said he "Got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow, and from there, it was kind of something I was working through." Then, over the final three weeks, the team opted to bench Cousins in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Before this injury, Cousins performed quite well, averaging 263.4 passing yards per game with a 17:8 TD:INT ratio. However, over his final four contests, the 36-year-old averaged just 218.5 passing yards per game and threw just one score with eight interceptions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the offseason as the team may look to find a trade partner, as Penix is viewed as their franchise option.

After Atlanta Falcons veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched in Week 16 in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., the 36-year-old signal-caller said his future in Atlanta is still unsettled. "I definitely feel like I have a lot of good football left in me," Cousins said of his Falcons future. "Time will tell. It's still kind of uncertain. We'll get to March and know a lot more. But I think the focus for me really is getting healthy. That's really my focus is I gotta get healthy." Cousins tore his right Achilles in 2023 and missed half the season in his final year with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta. He was up and down in his first year in Atlanta but struggled with mobility and accuracy before being benched after a five-game stretch in which he threw one TD and nine interceptions. The way his deal is structured makes it almost impossible for the Falcons to trade him before June 1.