Korko highest paid backup in NFL history

What's strange to me in all this...  Kirk was very good here.  Then he blew his Achilles and went to the Falcons.  From watching him play in games this season, it clearly looked like he wasn't super comfortable moving on the repaired Achilles.  But why are the Falcons so ready to give up on him knowing it would take some time for him to get over the mental hurdle that his Achilles is healed and he's fine?  I mean he could easily get back to the guy he was here.

Penix looked ok for a rookie but it wasn't like he came out and dominated.  I guess I'm just surprised they are already saying Kirk is the backup and aren't even entertaining the idea of having a QB competition between him and Kirk heading into next season.

Maybe the relationship is that bad after he got benched that Kirk wants to move on...  especially when he was blindsided by the Penix pick after signing a big deal.  This whole situation is just strange and I'm having trouble processing it.  Lol

The only logical thing is Atlanta feels its more than his repaired Achilles that's the cause of his lesser-than showing. As you mention, why give up so quickly on him otherwise? I watched him play and felt that it was much more than recovering from an injury. I think he's a smidge washed or at the very least starting that process. The organization overwhelmingly should be much more patient, but they aren't. They also drafted a QB. There's a reason for all of it and the only narrative that makes sense is that Korko isn't the player he was even a year and a half ago. And I don't see that magically improving. JMO. This was an Arthur Blank move, period, signing Cousins. And we know how well things pan out when the billionaires get involved in football decisions.

Minnesota dodged a giant bullet. But I also don't think they really tried too hard, either. Cousins is never going to get away from the narrative the media has had for him his whole career and he had a chance to.

There's nothing really being said here.  There aren't very many reasons to say anything other than that they like their current players.  They weren't going to cut him with a $65M dead cap hit.

That's it.

Totally agree. Not sure why they'd cut him or why the media thinks they are going to cut him this season. The conversation really that is interesting is WHY they've decided to keep him at QB2....because it obviously isn't about the injury, which by now is 100%. Its his play.

It doesn't pass the smell test: so Cousins just decided to not tell the team about this injury? Why? I think this is damage control for a player that is most likely fading. I see some fans don't understand why, but I think the answer is evident because what else could the answer be? Placing him at QB2 tells you.

Guys don’t tell teams about injuries all the time.  At any time, your backup can come in and take your job and you’re losing your job.  Favre famously said he was never coming off the field.  That said, I don’t think Cousins is that type of guy.  I think it’s more like they violated leagues rules by not disclosing the injury and just have to pretend like they didn’t know.  Cousins clearly went from a guy who was immobile but productive one game to falling off a cliff the next.  He wasn’t fading.

Why is he being demoted to QB2?  The same reason we got rid of him and are getting rid of Darnold.  Cousins is an upper mid QB at his most healthy.  Things would have to be perfect for him to take you to the SB.  You don’t hitch your wagon to expensive mid.    They are placeholder guys until the next guy is ready.  If Penix is ready, then you move on and see if he’s the guy to hitch your wagon to.

I think it’s odd to state it out loud though, because I think it diminishes potential trade value.  I think the only thing that makes sense with clearly stating that he is QB2 is that it helps loosen up Cousin’s grip on the no-trade clause.  He can stay in Atlanta, be a backup, rehab more fully, get cut in 2026 and hit the market (but he loses a year of starting) … or … he can find a trade partner that lets him be a starter, but maybe not for the team he would optimally want.  The more I think off it, the more this is communications to Cousins.

lol, listen....they didn't sign him to the contract they did to be a backup, a placeholder or even trade him in Year 2. He's played one season for them and got benched. They took a swing....and made a mistake and are now eating a shit sandwich thanks to Arthur Blank. I think Kirk has zero problems staying a backup, he'll be 37 years old this year. Who's trading for him? And I can't even imagine him going and moving someplace else, because he's not going to move his family again. A big part of the appeal of Atlanta was that is where his wife and her family are from. I bet they never move from there. Be a back up this year, they'll cut him next year and he'll retire. He's shown how good he can be in the booth if he wants that.