Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins was signed to be a starter after 2024, but the team then selected Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Cousins' current instability makes it more likely that the veteran won't be a starter in 2025.
Kirk Cousins 2024 Statistics
Kirk Cousins' play has put his contract under the microscope. He has had four interceptions in a row, including four interceptions against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 13, and is the NFL's leader in draft picks in 2024.
Winning isn't a QB statistic, but the Falcons went 0-3 last month, falling from a strong lead in the NFC South to second place in the division and completely out of the playoffs at 6-7.
Kirk Cousins has contract protection built in for QBs
Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract this offseason, but only half of that is guaranteed. In reality, it will be a two-year, $90 million contract with team options for $45 million in the third and fourth years. His $27.5 million salary in 2025 is fully guaranteed, so it's unlikely the Falcons will release him right away, but a trade is possible. he. If they trade him, he would be paid $62.5 million for one season at quarterback.
What is the cap impact of firing Kirk Cousins?
Cousins' 2025 salary is fully guaranteed, so if they cut Cousins, they will be owed $27.5 million in cash.
The Falcons paid him $62.5 million, but only $25 million is on the 2024 cap. If he is not on the roster due to cut or trade, the remaining $37.5 million would have to count against the 2025 cap.
Adding the $27.5 million and $37.5 million, the $65 million dead cap hit would be the second-highest in NFL history behind Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos.
What would happen if the Falcons traded Kirk Cousins?
To start this conversation, it is essential to mention that Cousins has a full no-trade clause, which requires him to approve a transfer to a new team. However, his contract will be quite affordable for his new team. They will inherit a one-year guarantee of $27.5 million in his contract, which is a very reasonable number for Cousins. If this number were an average, it would only be the 18th-highest average QB salary in the NFL. That would allow them to keep him for $45 million until 2026. (If I were Cousins, part of the negotiations to lift the no-trade clause would include guaranteeing some or all of the 2026 funding, which is an interesting wrinkle.)
What are the cap implications of the Kirk Cousins trade?
The Falcons paid Cousins $62.5 million, but he only took up $25 million against the salary cap. That means $37.5 million needs to be accounted for. If he's not on the roster via trade, the Falcons will hit the cap in 2025. If they trade him after June 1st, it would be split between 2024 and 2025.
If the Falcons keep Cousins, how much will his cap hit be?
As mentioned before, his 2025 salary is already fully guaranteed, so whether they keep him or cut him, nothing changes on the balance sheet. They could use him as a veteran behind Penix, and there's not much Cousins can do except give the media some hate.
