Falcons insider predicts how Kirk Cousins saga will end

The only thing that seems certain regarding the saga involving the Atlanta Falcons and Kirk Cousins is that team owner Arthur Blank is in no hurry to release the quarterback after his money for 2026 became guaranteed on March 17.

Falcons insider Josh Kendall of The Athletic shared why he believes Cousins will be traded at some point this offseason. 

"Here’s the mental math I think Atlanta is using right now," Kendall explained. "Four teams that need a starting quarterback (Titans, Giants, Steelers, Browns) minus three available quarterbacks who are viewed as viable starters for 2025 (Cam Ward, Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson) equals somebody desperate for a quarterback when the draft is complete."

It's assumed the Titans will make Ward the first overall pick of the 2025 draft and name him their Week 1 starter. It's reportedly a "safe bet" that the Steelers will sign Rodgers, while Wilson could end up with either the Giants or Browns.

Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski was previously Cousins' quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings.

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed on Monday that "Cousins has already signaled to teams that he would likely want to wait to see what happens over draft weekend before accepting a trade" after the Falcons signed the 36-year-old in March 2024 but then made Michael Penix Jr. the eighth overall pick of last year's draft. Cousins lost the Atlanta starting job to Penix this past December. 

Kendall mentioned that the Falcons are "willing to assume some of Cousins’ 2025 salary" to buy a draft pick from a team such as the Giants or Browns. That said, Kendall thinks Atlanta "should be thrilled" if it gets a fourth-round selection in return for Cousins. 

The full no-trade clause attached to Cousins' contract could make things interesting if both the Browns and Giants target to-be rookie quarterbacks (Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe) during the first round of the draft on April 24. 

Atlanta technically could afford to keep Cousins around as Penix's backup, but that could make for an awkward situation as the 24-year-old attempts to establish himself as a starting QB.