As OTAs get underway across the NFL, one notable name was absent from the Atlanta Falcons’ workouts on Tuesday: veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins. After being benched last season in favor of first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr., Cousins now finds himself in an awkward standoff with the Falcons—present at times during the offseason, but notably missing from the practice field this week.
While his absence isn’t a violation—OTAs are technically voluntary—it speaks volumes about his intentions. Cousins is reportedly seeking a trade, hoping to land a starting job elsewhere. But the market may not be on his side.
A Chess Match With No Clear Winner
The quarterback’s brief appearance at voluntary sessions before the draft was widely seen as posturing—an effort to create an awkward environment and perhaps force Atlanta’s hand. But the Falcons stuck to their plan, selecting Penix Jr. and moving forward.
Since then, trade interest in Cousins has been minimal, if not nonexistent. The only viable landing spot at this point might be Pittsburgh—dependent on other quarterback movement around the league. Other potential destinations such as New Orleans, Tennessee, and the Giants have addressed their quarterback needs, leaving Cousins with few options.
Meanwhile, Cousins is still owed $27.5 million for the 2025 season, and an additional $10 million for 2026 has already become fully guaranteed. Despite the hefty price tag, Atlanta allowed that guarantee to kick in, signaling a willingness to keep him on the roster as an expensive backup.
A Familiar Situation
Cousins’ standoff is reminiscent of the Jimmy Garoppolo saga in San Francisco. The 49ers attempted to trade Garoppolo after naming Trey Lance the starter, but no deal materialized. Garoppolo remained on the roster, and following an early injury to Lance, was thrust back into action.
A similar scenario could unfold in Atlanta. While Penix is the franchise’s future, his college career included multiple ACL injuries and shoulder problems. If he were to suffer another injury, Cousins could suddenly be back under center. While not ideal for a quarterback who still believes he should start, it may be his quickest route back to the field.
Is Cousins Still a Starter?
Cousins’ camp has suggested he’s in much better physical shape than he was last season, having had more time to recover from his Achilles tear. Last year’s performance was affected by both the injury and the adjustment period. As with many quarterbacks returning from Achilles injuries, the psychological impact—fear of re-injury, hesitance in mobility—can linger even after physical recovery.
While Cousins may feel ready, teams must also factor in his age, salary, recent injury history, and current contract guarantees. Even if physically improved, those concerns have likely contributed to the lack of trade interest so far.
No Trade, No Cut—Just Limbo
At this point, a trade feels unlikely unless another team suffers a major quarterback injury. A release also seems improbable, given the fully guaranteed money already committed. The most plausible outcome is that Cousins remains in Atlanta as a high-paid backup.
It’s not the role he wants—but it may be the only one available. And in the NFL, backup quarterbacks often become starters in the blink of an eye.
