The future of quarterback Kirk Cousins with the Atlanta Falcons appears uncertain, with indications suggesting that his tenure may be short-lived following his benching in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr. late in the 2024 season. Adam Schefter of Moneyline noted that the situation bears resemblance to the previous offseason involving Russell Wilson and the Denver Broncos, who ultimately chose to release the quarterback despite earlier statements indicating they would retain him.

Cousins' journey may mirror Wilson's, as he is expected to enter free agency after being released by the Falcons, similar to how Wilson signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers after leaving Denver. While the Falcons have publicly expressed their willingness to consider keeping Cousins as a backup, skepticism surrounds the practicality of maintaining a player with a $40 million annual salary in that role. A trade is also an option; however, it would necessitate Cousins' consent due to his no-trade clause, making release the most plausible scenario according to Schefter.

The Falcons committed significantly to the quarterback position last offseason by signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract and surprising many with the selection of Penix as the No. 8 overall pick. Cousins' performance faltered during a critical stretch in November and December, where he registered just one touchdown against nine interceptions, contributing to the Falcons' 1-4 record during that period. In contrast, Penix showed promise, throwing for 737 yards and securing three touchdowns over three starts. Despite a 1-2 record in those games and missing the playoffs, the decision to move forward with Penix as the starter appears logical for the Falcons. However, similar to the Broncos absorbing $85 million in dead cap from Wilson's release, the Falcons may need to account for approximately $65 million in dead cap if they decide to let Cousins go. This decision is not unique to the Falcons, as other teams, including the New York Jets with Aaron Rodgers, face challenging choices regarding aging quarterbacks. Nonetheless, the presence of Penix poised for a starting role may render the separation between Cousins and Atlanta seemingly inevitable.