Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins met with owner Arthur Blank on Wednesday and the team doesn't intend to release him, ߣÏÈÉúAV Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Friday, per sources.
Cousins has a no-trade clause in his contract, Pelissero added.
Albert Breer of The MMQB first the news.
Cousins, who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons last offseason, struggled during his first campaign in Atlanta while overcoming his Achilles tear from the previous season. He started the first 14 games of the season but became increasingly inconsistent at the midway point. During Atlanta's four-game losing streak from Week 10-14 that eventually doomed the team's playoff chances, Cousins threw zero touchdowns and eight interceptions, which contributed to head coach Raheem Morris turning to first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. as starting QB in Week 16.
Back on Feb. 4, the veteran QB told ߣÏÈÉúAV Network's Good Morning Football: Overtime crew that he is looking to continue his career in 2025, either with the Falcons or elsewhere.
Cousins has three years left in his contract with the Falcons and he carries a cap number of $40 million in 2025. The 36-year-old has $27.5 million in guaranteed salary for next season, but none after. Cousins' deal makes it difficult for Atlanta to trade him away pre-June 1, as the Falcons would save $2.5 million but take on $37.5 million in dead money in 2025, plus $25 million in 2026 and $12.5 million in 2027.
A post-June 1 trade would incur $12.5 million of dead money in each of the next three seasons, but a cap savings of $27.5 million this year and $45 million in '26 and '27.
Now that Atlanta has made it clear it doesn't intend to release him, a trade on that timeline seems the only way his career wouldn't continue with the Falcons.
If the Falcons do manage to move on from Cousins before the upcoming season, the four-time Pro Bowl QB would finish his Falcons tenure with 3,508 yards for 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
