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Kirk Cousins’ Future With Atlanta Falcons Receives New Update Ahead of Commanders Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Sep 28, 2025 12:07 PM ET

The Atlanta Falcons have found themselves in quite the quarterback conundrum over the last 18 months.

They inked Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year, $180 million contract last offseason, seemingly to lead the franchise, but then Atlanta made the stunning decision to draft quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 overall pick just a month later.

Cousins looked great to start the season, but then a five-game stretch where he threw one touchdown and nine interceptions led to him being benched.

Penix Jr. has been the full-time starter ever since, but his struggles to begin this season has led to some questions about Cousins’ future.

Some people believed Penix Jr. would be benched, but with the Falcons appearing to be locked into their second-year quarterback, trade talks have begun to emerge.

NFL insider Dianna Russini reported earlier today that if a playoff contender suffers an injury to their starter, there is a chance Atlanta may be willing to deal the veteran and eat some of the money on his deal.

This is what I'm hearing on the futures of Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins in New York and Atlanta — and why desperation from other teams could factor into any potential move down the road: https://t.co/mAchbNTAqD pic.twitter.com/0HVxDfNovD
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 28, 2025

Cousins has shown throughout his career that he is a floor raiser, who can lead a team superbly if he has enough talent around him.

Of course, it would take some luck for him to get traded, but it is likely a welcome report for a player who didn’t seem content to let the final years of his career rot away on the bench.

The Falcons are currently 1-2 , with their only win coming against a lowly Minnesota Vikings team, and the wheels could fall completely off with a loss today to the Washington Commanders without their star quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The team has much bigger fish to fry, but they could be getting some reinforcements if a suitor for Cousins surfaces.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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