Kirk Cousins trade drama persists as he sends ‘clear’ message to Falcons

Kirk Cousins has made it abundantly clear that he won’t be happy taking a back seat to Michael Penix in the Falcons quarterback room.

Cousins turns 37 this summer and has “clearly communicated” to Atlanta that he wants to spend his remaining NFL years as a starter. Cousins is willing to waive his no-trade clause to find somewhere to make that happen and, lucky for him, the Falcons are on the same page.

“This is not a thing where we’re holding [Cousins] back if the opportunity [for a trade] presents itself,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said at the NFL annual meeting Tuesday, per ProFootballTalk. “If it’s something that’s good for both of us — it’s good for the Falcons and Kirk Cousins — we certainly would like to see that happen.”

Cousins was brought aboard in Atlanta on a massive four-year, $180 million contract just a year ago, right before the Falcons shockingly drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick. 

Penix began the year as Cousins’ backup until Week 15 when the rookie took over, and now, the second-year QB has the reins heading into the 2025-26 season.

“We invested in Kirk last year,” Morris said. “We invested in some major way, and right now we feel really strong about him being our backup quarterback and the things he can do for us.”

It doesn’t seem that Cousins will show up to work and happily accept that role, though.

“I’m not going to be foolish to think that he’s going to show up for voluntary work right now,” Morris said. “We’re dealing with a business-type mode right now. I don’t think he’ll be there. If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms. But I’m not going to be fool enough to make myself get worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.”

The voluntary workouts are just that, though.

It’s unclear whether Cousins will be on the roster by the time mandatory practices begin, but if he is, that’s when the pot could stir and trade talks could ramp up.

“I do know he would like to try to be a starter at some point,” Morris said. “That’s been clearly communicated with me and whoever else he had an opportunity to talk to … The way about that, I’m not sure, but we’ll have to figure those things out and we’ll have to get to that process.”