Kirk Cousins attended the Atlanta Falcons\' mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, though he prefers a trade or release to pursue starting opportunities elsewhere. Head coach Raheem Morris said Cousins\' presence will not negatively impact Michael Penix Jr., who replaced Cousins as the starting quarterback last season.
Morris downplayed any potential disruption from the veteran quarterback\'s situation and emphasized that Cousins is handling the transition professionally despite his desire to leave Atlanta.
\"It\'s been less dramatic of a situation as it has been from an outside-of-the-building standpoint,\" Morris said Tuesday before practice.
\"Kirk is not in the business of disrupting Michael Penix,\" Morris added.
The financial reality complicates any potential move for Cousins. He is owed $27.5 million this season, money the Falcons will likely have to pay whether he remains on the roster or is released. The team views him as valuable insurance as a backup quarterback.
Cousins also has a $10 million bonus due in 2026, adding to his guaranteed money. Any trade would require his approval due to a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Falcons would prefer any acquiring team to absorb some of Cousins\' guaranteed salary in a potential deal. This financial hurdle makes finding a suitable trade partner more challenging for Atlanta.