Kirk Cousins Trade Buzz Heats Up

Last season, the Atlanta Falcons made a splash by investing $100 million in quarterback Kirk Cousins. This hefty deal came just weeks before they drafted Michael Penix Jr. as a top-10 pick.

What Fontenot Says About Cousins' Future

Fast forward to this year, and speculation surrounding a Cousins trade is intensifying. At a recent pre-draft press conference, Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot addressed reports from ESPN, suggesting the team hoped another franchise would cover $20 million of Cousins’ remaining $37.5 million in guaranteed money.

Fontenot clarified, "We haven't put... a number on it. We wouldn't share specific conversations about what we're doing, but to answer your question — no, we haven’t put a specific number on it."

Cousins Holds All the Cards

Adding to the intrigue, Cousins possesses a no-trade clause, granting him the authority to veto any potential trade. It's difficult to envision him agreeing to a move to a team without a guaranteed starting position. After all, if he’s meant to be a backup, wouldn’t it be easier just to stay put?

The Importance of Staying Healthy

From a strategic perspective, it also benefits Cousins to continue training at the Falcons' facility. If he were to suffer an injury there, he would still secure his paycheck. On the contrary, if he were to get hurt while working out elsewhere, like at a local gym, the Falcons could potentially void his remaining guarantees, allowing them to part ways.

What’s Next for the Falcons?

As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on both Cousins and the Falcons. Will Atlanta trade him, or will they decide to keep their star quarterback for another season? The clock is ticking, and the NFL world is on edge!