JUNE 10: Cousins has indeed reported for minicamp, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones confirms. He will avoid incurring fines as a result while still awaiting a development regarding his 2025 destination.
JUNE 9: Kirk Cousins was absent from OTAs, choosing to skip voluntary work with the Falcons. As his future remains uncertain, though, attendance is anticipated for mandatory minicamp. 
Atlanta’s projected 2025 backup is expected to report for minicamp, Jayna Bardahl and Dianna Russini of The Athletic report (subscription required). The compulsory event begins tomorrow, and Cousins will be subject to fines if he is absent. Of course, attending and/or taking part in minicamp will not quell doubts about whether or not he will remain with the Falcons this season.
It has long been clear Cousins’ preference would be to start over with a new team. He declined to waive his no-trade clause prior to the draft in a bid to avoid a repeat of last April’s situation. That move prevented an interested team from acquiring him and then selecting a rookie as the Falcons did with first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. in 2024. However, with the draft and much of free agency now in the books, the list of viable Cousins destinations has shrunk considerably.
That holds especially true now that Aaron Rodgers has officially signed with the Steelers. Pittsburgh showed interest in Cousins, but the 36-year-old was always considered a contingency plan. Rodgers joining the Steelers leaves few (if any) clear suitors to pursue a Cousins trade. To no surprise, then, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported during a Sunday SportsCenter appearance (h/t Bleacher Report) that a strong market does not exist at this point.
Three years remain on Cousins’ deal, and his $27.5MM in base salary for 2025 is guaranteed in full. A $10MM roster bonus for next season has already vested, creating a sizable financial burden (even with offsets) for an acquiring team to take on. As Fowler has noted on more than one occasion, Atlanta’s ongoing stance of not being willing to retain any money of note in a Cousins swap prevented a deal from taking place earlier.
Especially this deep into the offseason, however, that approach is certainly understandable. With the Falcons already on the hook for Cousins’ compensation, retaining him as insurance for Penix – who suffered four season-ending injuries during his college career – is worth weighing against what would no doubt be a modest return in a trade. Since he took over late in his rookie campaign, it is also difficult to accurately project how Penix will fare during a full season atop the depth chart.
The Athletic report confirms Cousins would still prefer a change of scenery, but with a no-trade clause he has the option of vetoing any deal Atlanta works out. For now, nothing on that front should be expected and as a result it will be interesting to see how he approaches the remainder of the offseason.
I’d gladly be a backup for that salary. He’s worth $300+m already, why not chill for 1 season?
Sure, collecting $27 million to hold a clipboard is a pretty nice consolation prize, but the former 4th round pick didn’t come to be a long-term starter in the NFL by chilling. He doesn’t have much time left. I’m sure he wants to start somewhere with the time he has left.
He didnt get any trade offers, or else he wouldn’t be in ATL. Is he even 100% healthy??
Well, yeah, after Rodgers signed, there’s nowhere for him to go right now. Plus, the memory of Cousins getting injured last year and falling off a cliff is still fresh in peoples’ minds. After half a season of injuries and/or ineffectiveness around the league, though, chances are that both of things will change. At the very least, it’ll be Atlanta’s best chance to find a partner. Cousins, unfortunately, doesn’t have enough leverage to force his way out.
Atlanta, in this way, takes less of a loss financially and gets to have the best backup in football for a young player with an extensive injury history of his own. Cousins has been a great teammate throughout his career, and likely won’t make as big of a fuss as someone else might, but Atlanta definitely is going to try to recoup as much as they can from this move.
Cousins wanted to be in Atlanta when he signed that contract….live up to it! Stop acting like a spoiled brat and go to camp preparing to win you job back! No respect for Cousins what so ever….
He’s not getting his job back. Penix is the future
Penix is the future until he gets blindsided by the Falcons ownership the way Cousins was. Arthur Blank’s credibility took a dive when he told Kirk “your our guy” then immediately looked to draft a replacement starter.
Narrative is dead. Penix is the guy
You have reached your destination.
There’s nothing available for him. Crazy wacky scenario but hear me out. Tua goes down again(I hope not) Miami could eat some of Kirk’s ‘25 salary and throw him into the QB1 position
One of the most under appreciated quarterbacks in recent memory.
I’ll take Kirk over Dak.
Penix has had 4 season-ending injuries already? So every season he played in college was ended early by injury? That’s insane.
Not every one, he played 5 or 6 seasons.