The Falcons need to decide what to do with Kirk Cousins. The most obvious choices are these: (1) pay him $27.5 million to serve as the backup to Michael Penix Jr. in 2025; or (2) cut Cousins before a $10 million injury guarantee in 2026 transforms into a full guarantee.

The Falcons may not trade Kirk Cousins this offseason for financial reasons, which could lead to the quarterback being cut.

The Cleveland Browns are in desperate need of a quarterback. The Atlanta Falcons are ready to cut ties with Kirk Cousins. Might a trade be in order?

The Atlanta Falcons were initially praised for signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract during the 2024 offseason, but that move has not aged well. Cousins never looked fully healthy

On Feb. 20, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin named the three best fits for Cousins this offseason. Unsurprisingly, he identified the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets, two teams who have been linked to Cousins throughout this offseason.

“Spielman’s presence in the front office is sure to spark Kirk Cousins speculation,” ESPN’s Rich Cimini wrote on February 10. “As the Minnesota Vikings’ GM, Spielman signed Cousins to a huge free agent deal in 2018. Cousins, who enjoyed his most productive years in Minnesota, is likely to be cut or traded by the Atlanta Falcons in the coming weeks.

A trade between Atlanta and Cleveland seems plausible, especially given Cousins’ connection to Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. As Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox points out, Stefanski previously coached Cousins for two years with the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL reporters believe the Falcons will cut Kirk Cousins, most notably Adam Schefter, but Terry Fontenot remains adamant that the organization is comfortable keeping the veteran in Atlantas as Michael Penix Jr.

Michael Penix Jr. will be the Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback in 2025, leaving Kirk Cousins with an uncertain future less