FALCONS IN TURMOIL: KIRK COUSINS ERA OVER BEFORE IT BEGAN………….
By [Your Name]
Atlanta, GA – May 21, 2025
When the Atlanta Falcons signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in 2024, they weren’t just acquiring a veteran quarterback — they were buying hope. A proven arm. A leader. A shot at redemption in a quarterback-starved franchise. But just one season later, that gamble looks increasingly like one of the most expensive missteps in modern NFL history.
According to multiple team sources and top league insiders, Kirk Cousins is not expected to suit up for the Falcons in the 2025 season. Not as a starter. Not even as a backup. The writing is on the wall — and it’s written in bold.
The Rise and Fall in a Single Season
Cousins arrived in Atlanta with a chip on his shoulder and a proven résumé. His numbers in Minnesota were strong, even elite at times. But after returning from an Achilles tear, his performance in Atlanta was anything but inspiring.
Yes, the Falcons started 6–3 under his watch. But the statistics tell a grimmer story. Cousins managed just one touchdown to nine interceptions over his final five starts. That’s not a slump — that’s a nosedive. His lack of mobility, combined with visible hesitation in the pocket, led to a cascade of turnovers and stalled drives.
Head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot had seen enough. Cousins was benched, and the Falcons handed the keys to rookie Michael Penix Jr., the dynamic quarterback they controversially drafted eighth overall — while Cousins was still unpacking his bags in Flowery Branch.
The rookie answered the call with poise and promise, leading the team to back-to-back wins and showcasing the kind of mobility and deep-ball aggression the Falcons desperately needed.
The Locker Room Shift
Privately, players in the Falcons locker room have acknowledged the obvious: Penix has become the emotional and strategic leader of the offense. “He’s got that spark,” one team veteran said anonymously. “And guys are rallying around him. With Kirk, it just didn’t feel like that.”
Team chemistry, especially at quarterback, matters. And for better or worse, Cousins hasn’t been able to capture the pulse of the locker room in Atlanta like he once did in Minnesota.
The Financial Elephant in the Room
What complicates this situation is that the Falcons owe Cousins a fully guaranteed $40 million this season — whether he throws a single pass or not. In most NFL situations, that cap hit would force the team to play him just to extract value. But this is different. The Falcons are doubling down on the future.
“It’s about more than just the money,” said one Falcons front office source. “It’s about the window to win, the direction of the locker room, and the player who gives us the best chance now and long-term. That’s Penix.”
Cousins holds a no-trade clause, and while there’s interest from teams like the Raiders and Patriots, the financial gymnastics required to move him are daunting. If he’s cut, it would leave a staggering dead cap hit — yet that’s a scenario Atlanta is reportedly preparing for.
What Comes Next?
Cousins has been diplomatic but candid. “I still believe I can play at a high level. If that’s not in Atlanta, we’ll see what’s next,” he said earlier this month. But behind the scenes, sources say Cousins and his representation are frustrated. He signed on expecting to lead a rebuild. Instead, he’s watching it from the sidelines, replaced by a rookie and potentially on his way out of town without ever truly making his mark.
The Verdict
If Atlanta was trying to make a statement, they’ve made it loud and clear: the Cousins experiment is over. The Falcons are now Penix’s team. The move is bold. Risky. Maybe even reckless. But it’s exactly the kind of strong-willed pivot great organizations must make when the data — and the eye test — don’t lie.
Kirk Cousins may still have good football left in him. It just won’t be played in Atlanta.
