Week 3 saw the Falcons suffer a blowout defeat to the Panthers. Kirk Cousins took over quarterback duties late in the shoutout loss, marking his first game action with Atlanta this year. 
Starter Michael Penix Jr. was healthy when his Week 3 participation came to an end, but he was benched with the game out of hand. Penix completed 18 of 36 attempts for 172 yards and a pair of interceptions. Cousins took over and went five-for-seven in mop-up duty. For the time being, his future is set to consist of further backup duties as a member of the Falcons.
Cousins requested a trade this past offseason once it became clear Atlanta would hand the reins over to Penix on a full-time basis. That was the situation at the end of the 2024 campaign, and after being selected eighth overall Penix naturally represents the Falcons’ long-term plan under center. At no point did a Cousins trade appear imminent over the summer, though, and that is still the case at this point.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports (video link) Atlanta has yet to receive any calls on the four-time Pro Bowler. Every current injury being dealt with by a starting quarterback – aside from Joe Burrow‘s – is a short-term one. Cincinnati does not intend to add a veteran passer, so a market does not exist at this point for an in-season deal (presuming Cousins, who holds a no-trade clause, would sign off on one anyway).
Of course, finances are a major factor in this case. Cousins’ 2025 salary ($27.5MM) is guaranteed in full, and his $10MM roster bonus for next March is already locked in. Keeping in line with their earlier stance, the Falcons would only entertain a trade involving the 37-year-old if an interested team were to take on the remainder of his compensation. Rapoport adds a “premium” draft pick would also be required for Atlanta to sign off on a Cousins trade.
Barring another major injury to an established starter, then, the status quo should remain the expectation in this situation. ESPN’s Dan Graziano notes the Falcons would need to upgrade their QB2 situation behind Penix for a Cousins trade to be feasible, something which has not appeared imminent. For now, attention will turn to a rebound on offense for Atlanta coupled with a stronger showing by Penix. Failing that, the team will have a highly experienced backup to turn to.
Reeeeaaaaallllllyyyy????
Nobody is jumping at the chance to give up a player or draft pick for the honor of eating a bloated contract for a QB who will probably get injured for the season in his first game with you? What a shock.
I think the Falcons are going to need Kirk. Either due to the ineffectiveness of Penix or injury (or both).
I think you’re right. After today they need something. LOL
True
Penix needs more time. If you’re playing Cousins this salary, play him
Absolutely. Cousins had the Falcons in first place last season until he got hurt. Start him next week. Penix has been terrible in every start this season.
Cincinnati is the team that needs him, but they would never trade for that contract (nor should they)
SO FAR !!
Atlanta obviously doesn’t know how to develop a QB anymore….they lost that when Matt Ryan left 😅
Their paying Cousins all this money…PLAY HIM …. let Penix sit and learn
If a team has NOT received interest in a player, is it still considered a rumor? Or would this be filed under Pro Football Non Rumors?
While Cousins is mediocre and will fail a team in a playoff run, Atlanta should play Kirk now. The Falcons are a long way from a playoff run and Kirk can certainly increase the number of games they win this season, maybe get them to the edge of the playoffs.
With a one-two punch like this, it makes sense to bench the sophomore QB with growing pains for at least four or five games to settle down. Either one of them could be injured, especially Penix (while father time has caught up with him, Cousins has been pretty durable and his playing style is low risk), so pulling one and putting in the other on one’s own schedule makes more sense than just waiting for disaster to strike.
Since the Falcons are paying top of the market QB prices, they should get their money’s worth. Penix won’t get any worse watching with a clipboard and imagining himself playing the games, he might get a lot better (just like Jordan Love did).
MOST QB’s need 3-4 years. That’s how it used to be. Now they’re rushed and people can’t imagine why they struggle compared to college. Stupid is something you can’t fix.
That’s how it used to be because rookies were not paid 10’s of millions of dollars a season just coming into the league. Now they are, and because of this, and because of the small window you have before their contracts balloon up to the hundreds of millions even if they are subpar, they are forced to play as soon as they are drafted. It isn’t stupidity that is the cause of this, it is economics. And economics is something you CAN fix, but the NFL never will because of the NFLPA.
If you don’t like this brand of football, then simply stop supporting the NFL and take the money out of the equation. No audience, no advertisers. No advertisers, no big TV contracts. No big TV contracts, no big player contracts.