Cousins just complicated things
Kirk Cousins will reportedly refuse to show up for the Atlanta Falcons' offseason activities as he prepares to spend next season behind Michael Penix Jr.
The Falcons chose to keep Cousins on their roster past last week's deadline. As a result, the quarterback's $10million roster bonus that is due in 2026 became fully guaranteed.
That decision also granted the Falcons additional time as they weigh the 36-year-old Cousins' future with the team.
Atlanta is all in on quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as the face of the franchise.
But the decision has clearly frustrated Cousins, who will now opt out of the team's spring workouts and practices.
Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer said: 'Cousins doesn't plan on showing for the offseason program. He may show for mandatory minicamp to avoid taking the fines.' Kirk Cousins will reportedly refuse to show up for the Atlanta Falcons ' offseason activities
In his return from a torn Achilles and debut season with the Falcons, Cousins said arm injuries were a detriment and led to him being benched in favor of Penix in December.
Atlanta selected Penix eighth overall in last April's draft shortly after Cousins signed a four-year, $180m deal with the Falcons.
At last month's NFL Combine, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said he was 'disappointed' with the way things ended for Cousins and Atlanta.
General manager Terry Fontenot added the move to Penix was entirely a 'football decision'.
Teams are not expected to offer a draft pick for Cousins, 36, because of his onerous salary.
'Michael Penix is our quarterback. We stood here last year and talked about looking for that guy,' Morris said of whether Cousins was still competing to start. 'We think we found him.'
If Atlanta is essentially willing to pay him to go away, allowing a VERY inexpensive return to Minny...hell, yes. He already knows the system, was a very positive locker room presence, and has likely had some humility in a season where his body failed to bounce back from multiple injuries.
If he still wants ANOTHER big contract...call the Giants, I'm done.
KOC, JJM, Flores...make a good plan, or you'll be following Kwesi....
Talk about ideal backup. I hope we can make it work.
Giants, Steelers or Titans could be options. If he doesn't want to be a backup there, I do not think he would be interested in being one here. I think he would have a better chance of eventually getting the starting job back in Atlanta than getting it here.
He wants to go somewhere and start. The best thing Atlanta could do is try to trade him. I think Cleveland would certainly be in on those discussions with the Stefanski connection. Anybody not see this exact thing playing out when Atlanta drafted Penix?
It would be the longest of long shots he'd return to Minnesota to backup McCarthy
Interesting idea....another Osweiler deal?
Why would Cousins who wants to start come to Minnesota to be a backup? He’s in the exact same spot here as he is in Atlanta although if you look at Penix funny he might get injured.
MaroonBells wrote:
Interesting idea....another Osweiler deal?Assuming Kirko Chainz is willing to be QB2. Our OL negates his inability to move. Atlanta I’ve got penciled in for a much needed Edge. Might still be in play if they can land Hendrickson.
“Hell is empty and all the devils are here”
Shakespeare
I think I would have been more surprised if he showed at the optional ota's...I bet it was a hella conversation between him and Blanks.
Kirko has made so much $$, but I kinda feel for that guy. That was a hard left turn from what he imagined in 24.
I also think the Vikings are going to get a vet in that QB room with JJM sooner than later. The bar is high with them being pretty particular on the fit with him and team.
KOC is looking more than just a pulse, he wants someone who can truly hold the fort down when needed.
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
I don’t think it really changes too much if he sits out optional stuff or whatnot as a backup. Falcons would be dumb to cut him outright as the dead cap would be too high. If I were them I’d give him the option to see out a trade if he wants. Is he allowed to renegotiate his own contract to forfeit that money to help facilitate him being released or traded?
That said, I think the longer things go on, the more time he has to heal and the more likely it is something could happen. No one really wants to pay a lot for a Cousins that can’t really move or step into his throws. It’s probably going to take some public workouts or practices or whatnot where he’s moving around semi-good and planting normally.
If he's not looking tradeable, I wouldn't want to be putting less than tradeable tape out there for the rest of the league to see or having rumors about how stiff he looks or whatnot.
I think Cousins is at an age when he has to be realistic about what his role is going forward.
The NFL has changed during his career. Most of the top QBs today have been mobile. Jalen Hurts. Lamar Jackson. Even Mahomes. He never was...I think in all the years I watched him, I saw only a couple surprising mobile scampers.
My question as the fly on the wall...when he realizes his pay grade has outstripped his value, what is his next career move? Broadcasting? Coaching? What about coaching from the field as a QB mentor? In a community that his family is quite familiar with and welcomed in.
I can think of more far-fetched ideas. This one just has to play itself out. If he thinks he can skank someone desperate for tens of millions for a serviceable starting QB, rock on. It's not in Minnesota.
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