When Kirk Cousins signed his four-year, $180 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons in March, no one expected him to be benched before the end of his first season.
With Cousins benched for poor play and rookie Michael Penix Jr. taking his place, the Falcons are now expected to release the quarterback after the season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Cousins is due a $10 million roster bonus on March 17, and according to the report, executives across the NFL expect Cousins to be released before then.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) walks onto the field before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)
If the Falcons cut Cousins before March 17 and save $10 million, they will still have to pay most of Cousins’ contract.
Of Cousins’ $180 million contract, $100 million is guaranteed. If the Falcons cut Cousins before next season, they will eat a $65 million salary cap hit, according to Spotrac.
Cousins’ cap hit for next season would have been $40 million if he were still on the roster, but cutting him adds another $25 million to Cousins’ cap hit for next season.
With rookie Penix Jr. set to start in place of Cousins when the Falcons face the New York Giants on Sunday, Cousins will have been the most expensive bridge quarterback in NFL history.
Cousins also has a no-trade clause and, according to the report, is not expected to waive it.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. (Images by Kirby Lee-Imagn)
The 36-year-old quarterback was reportedly frustrated that the Falcons had taken a quarterback with the eighth overall pick in the draft last season, choosing Cousins’ eventual replacement instead of a player who could help them. win now.
Cousins’ frustrations with the way things were handled have executives believing the quarterback will be doing the team no favors and waiving his no-trade clause, according to the report.
Cousins will be in a similar situation this offseason that Russell Wilson was in last season, if he is indeed released.
Wilson was released by the Denver Broncos last offseason, but the team is still paying him $53 million this season according to Spotrac.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter at US Bank Stadium. (Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images)
Wilson signed a one-year league veteran minimum contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Broncos are still paying the quarterback.
Cousins will be in position to sign a league veteran contract with another team, like Wilson, while the Falcons pay him not to play for them.
Through nine games, things were going swimmingly for Cousins and the Falcons. The team was 6-3 and atop the NFC South.
The team is now 7-7 after a four-game losing streak and out of playoff position. The Falcons beat the lowly Las Vegas Raiders 15-9 on Monday, breaking the streak, but Cousins played poorly in the loss, prompting head coach Raheem Morris to make the change.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. (Images by Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn)
Cousins has completed 66.9% of his passes, throwing for 3,508 yards and 18 touchdowns this season while also throwing a league-high 16 interceptions.
In addition to throwing 16 interceptions, Cousins has 12 fumbles, the most in the NFL under Baker Mayfield.
In his last five games, Cousins has thrown just one touchdown with nine interceptions.
