This act stunned some within the constructing, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. This comes throughout an fascinating stretch, as Cousins is not open to waiving his no-trade clause till after the draft. The quarterback who introduced a tampering penalty for the Falcons final 12 months nonetheless wields some energy, through the clause, and he’s aiming to keep away from repeating a scenario just like the one which outlined his 2024 in Atlanta.
Shock Falcons first-round choose Michael Penix Jr. reshaped Cousins’ Falcons path weeks after he signed, and the QB could have extra details about the place’s panorama after the likes of Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and Jalen Milroe are dispersed to groups. Although, Cousins additionally runs the chance of seeing the a starter route shut after the draft; Aaron Rodgers‘ determination (because it pertains to the Steelers) additionally stands to affect Cousins’ choices.
A current report urged the Falcons had been not fascinated about a Day 3 choose for Cousins. The crew’s social gathering line has remained a Penix-Cousins depth chart stays firmly in play, at the same time as many across the league have doubted that. The Falcons added some QB insurance coverage Monday night time by signing Easton Stick. The ex-Chargers backup, although, profiles as a extra possible third-string possibility for Atlanta. If the crew does have a Cousins commerce within the offing, a brand new backup would possible be wanted — particularly contemplating Penix’s harm historical past.
Accidents marring 4 Penix seasons at Indiana will assuredly issue into the Falcons’ pondering with Cousins. The Falcons have set an unrealistic wage demand relating to a Cousins swap, with a number of studies pointing to the crew asking an buying membership to tackle at the least $20M of his 2025 cash. Cousins’ 2026 $10M assure can be topic to offset language, which might stick the buying crew with that tab as effectively. Something within the neighborhood of $20M in 2025 is probably going a nonstarter for groups, and it might have contributed to the Browns selecting to reunite with
Joe Flacco.
For now, Cousins stays on Atlanta’s roster. It will be odd if Cousins confirmed for Falcons OTAs, as QBs on the best way out — or suspected to be on the best way out, because the 2022 Jimmy Garoppolo scenario reminded — are not often a part of such exercises. However he was within the constructing for the beginning of the crew’s program. How the QB dominoes fall this weekend will set the stage for Falcons commerce talks to accentuate.
