Veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who was benched by the Atlanta Falcons in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. this week, is predicted to half methods with the crew earlier than a $10 million bonus is due March 17, according to an ESPN report Saturday.
The report, which cited “executives from throughout the NFL,” mentioned the Falcons usually tend to lower Cousins than commerce him. The cause is straightforward: The veteran QB has a no-trade clause and would appear unlikely to assist the crew by approving a deal, particularly after the crew chosen Penix within the first spherical final spring.
Teams throughout the NFL subsequently count on the Falcons to launch Cousins earlier than March 17, when he’ll obtain a $10 million bonus for subsequent season.
The report, nonetheless, quoted a Falcons official as saying the crew may transfer each QBs ahead, a transfer made doable by Penix’s comparatively low wage cap hit of $5.2 million for subsequent season.
As FOX Sports NFL author Greg Auman wrote earlier this week, any crew trying to purchase Cousins would “decide to paying him $37.5 million subsequent season, with no assured cash after the 2025 season. This just isn’t draft for quarterbacks, and true free-agent choices are restricted, with Minnesota‘S Sam Darnold AND Pittsburgh‘S Russell Wilson as the one true starters accessible, if certainly they’re.”
And after all, as famous, that might additionally require Cousins to approve a commerce.
The Falcons have been roundly criticized for his or her quarterback play final spring.
First, they gave Cousins, a four-time Pro Bowler, a four-year, $180 million contract on the primary day of free company. The deal included $100 million assured.
They then proceeded to spend their No. 8 total draft choose on Penix. As Auman wrote, the crew mentioned these strikes would add “their current and future at a very powerful place within the recreation, however they’d weaken Cousins earlier than he takes his first snap.”
The Falcons, who’re 7-7 and only one recreation out of first place within the NFC South, host the New York Giants (2-12) on Sunday, giving Penix a tender touchdown for his first profession begin. The recreation will air on FOX, beginning at 1:00 PM ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Get extra from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get info on video games, information and extra
