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Reporter offers theory on why Kirk Cousins has not been traded
There have been multiple injuries to starting quarterbacks through the first two weeks of the NFL season, which has led to speculation that the Atlanta Falcons might finally trade Kirk Cousins. It does not sound like that is close to happening. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported on Thursday that no teams have reached out to the Falcons about trading for Cousins despite injuries to Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, San Francisco 49ers' Brock Purdy, Minnesota Vikings' J.J. McCarthy, New York Jets' Justin Fields and Washington Commanders' Jayden Daniels. Cousins was once considered the type of player who would generate buzz if a team's starting QB were to go down. So why hasn't it happened? According to Rapoport, the Falcons have no real incentive to trade Cousins. Cutting the 37-year-old never made sense, as Atlanta has to pay Cousins anyway, hence why the asking price has not dropped significantly. "He is a proven starting quarterback who happens to be the backup quarterback. If Michael Penix gets hurt, Cousins will step in there," Rapoport said. "That allows the Falcons to drive a very, very hard bargain. In other words, if you're going to trade for Kirk Cousins, if you're a team that says, 'Alright, we gotta have this guy,' you're gonna have to pay some of the salary and you're gonna have to give up a real draft pick. That is the luxury the Falcons have. "If they've got to keep him, they can just keep him because he's an excellent, excellent backup quarterback. Perhaps that is why we have not seen a deal yet, but every time there is a real, long-term quarterback injury, we're gonna have the same conversation this season." Kirk Cousins was benched for poor play in 2024 Cousins lost his job to Michael Penix Jr. midway through the 2024 season. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback got off to a decent start in his first season with Atlanta, but then played poorly for a stretch. Cousins finished with 3,508 yards, 18 touchdown passes and a career-worst 16 interceptions. There were numerous trade rumors involving Cousins during the offseason, but nothing materialized. That is mainly because he is only in the second year of a four-year, $180M contract. The Falcons do not seem eager to eat much of that salary in a trade, unless a team were willing to make it worth their while with draft-pick compensation. A desperate team could still want Kirk Cousins The Bengals are bracing for a lengthy absence for Burrow, who could potentially miss the remainder of the season. The other quarterbacks who have gotten hurt are not expected to be sidelined for very long. It is possible that teams aren't desperate enough this early in the season to give up assets for Cousins. There also seems to be a belief among some that Cousins' skills have declined, which makes it tougher for the Falcons to ask for much in a potential deal.
Cleveland Browns may be without a Pro Bowler against the Packers, and Green Bay suffers legit scare on Thursday
The Cleveland Browns have their attention on the Green Bay Packers with their first NFC opponent coming to town in Week 3. Cleveland opened the season with two AFC North losses against the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens and will now look to get right against perhaps the league’s best team. Green Bay has had the best defense this season through two games the league has and they bring a good quarterback with Jordan Love. Cleveland looks like they’ll get RT Jack Conklin back this week against the Packers, while DT Mike Hall did not participate on Thursday as part of his plan returning from the knee injury. It could be another week before the former second-round pick is out there. Joel Bitonio has not practiced yet this week with a back injury and tomorrow will tell whether or not he will be able to play against the Packers. Returner DeAndre Carter returned to practice for the Browns on Thursday from concussion protocol. The Packers suffer scare with one of their offensive stars Tucker Kraft is one of the league's more underrated tight ends and he suffered a knee tweak at practice on Thursday that was a scare, but he is expected to be fine. The star tight end had 124 yards and a touchdown against the Washington Commanders last week and will be a major weapon that the Packers and Love will look to target. Cleveland’s defense is allowing 146 passing yards per game through two games, which is third in the NFL. The Browns' offense will have to give the defense a chance to stay in this one at home. If Cleveland doesn’t have Bitonio against the Packers, they’ll be turning to backup offensive lineman Tevin Jenkins. Cleveland’s defensive front has been maybe the best in the NFL through the first two games, so they’ll only benefit when they put Hall’s interior rushing ability into the mix. It just may be too early for that to happen in Week 3 against Green Bay. window.addEventListener('message', function (event) {if (event.data.totalpoll event.data.totalpoll.action === 'resizeHeight') {document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-424').height = event.data.totalpoll.value;}}, false);document.querySelector('#totalpoll-iframe-424').contentWindow.postMessage({totalpoll: {action: 'requestHeight'}}, '*');
Packers TE Tucker Kraft (knee) uncertain for Week 3
Green Bay tight end Tucker Kraft has not missed a game since the Packers drafted him in the third round in 2023, but a knee injury may sideline the team's leading receiver on Sunday against the host Cleveland Browns. Kraft, 24, was added to the injury report after Thursday's practice and was getting looked at to determine the extent of the injury, according to multiple media reports. Per the reports, the Packers believe that he will not miss significant time. Green Bay (2-0) already is without a pair of wide receivers, leaving quarterback Jordan Love without key pieces of the passing game. Jayden Reed could return this season after breaking his collarbone last week against Washington and also undergoing foot surgery for a preseason injury. Christian Watson remains out after ACL surgery in January and is on the physically unable to perform list. Kraft, who posted 50 receptions for 707 yards and seven touchdowns while playing all 17 regular-season games in 2024, leads Green Bay this season with eight grabs for 140 yards and a pair of scores. Last Thursday, he notched his first 100-yard game with six catches for 124 yards and a score in a 27-18 home win over the Commanders. In his third NFL season, the native of Timber Lake, S.D., has compiled 89 receptions for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns in 36 regular-season games. Kraft also has 10 catches for 50 yards and one TD in three playoff games (all starts).
Latest comments hint Penguins will part ways with franchise cornerstone
As the Pittsburgh Penguins approach a new season with an eye on the future, their relationship with Evgeni Malkin, one of their longest-tenured legends, is already under fire. When Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager Kyle Dubas spoke to the media ahead of training camp getting underway on Friday, one of the first questions he was asked was about Malkin's contract. The upcoming 2025-26 season will mark a career milestone for the 39-year-old Russian-born superstar. Malkin is preparing to play in his 20th NHL season, but he's also well aware he's in the final year of a four-year contract he signed in July 2022. But based on the comments from both sides, it certainly sounds as if there's uncertainty about how much longer Malkin will remain in Pittsburgh. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas comments on Evgeni Malkin "He’s in a great mood every day,” Dubas said in reference to Malkin. “No change on [the contract] front. I spoke with him and [agent J.P. Barry] in the summer when stuff started percolating there. At the time in every one of their careers, I’ll sit when time permits," he added. Most of what Dubas said comes off as a typical statement from a general manager wanting to stay noncommittal while also avoiding alienating a star player. However, what Malkin said leads fans to believe he has every intention on continuing his career beyond this coming season. Evgeni Malkin speaks out ahead of contract year Malkin seems to understand the Penguins' situation, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will bow out gracefully and have his final year in Pittsburgh be his last in the NHL. "I understand it's maybe last year, maybe two more years. I need to just play fan. Because I play my whole life, why not just two more years? It’s so much better when the team wins. The last three years, we missed playoffs; it’s the worst feeling, you know?" said Malkin. The problem with that may be that he's unlikely to fit into Dubas' plans. Fully aware that it may take time to make the Penguins a contender again, Dubas spent most of last year selling off talent in hopes of rebuilding the roster. Even so, most don't expect Pittsburgh to contend unless somehow the only Penguin with a legacy greater than Malkin's in Sidney Crosby performs to a level that rivals his MVP seasons. Where does Evgeni Malkin fit into the Penguins' plan? If the Penguins are still stuck in a rebuilding mode, where does an aging and declining player fit into that equation, if anywhere at all? Of course, a lot of what happens may depend on how much production Malkin can still provide the current iteration of the team. Last season, Malkin registered only 16 goals and 50 points in 68 games, his lowest outputs in a season with at least 60 games played in both categories since 2018-19. And for the most glaring statistic, Malkin was a -24, the second worst +/- of his career. While Malkin will be enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame and likely honored with his No. 71 retired by Pittsburgh, it's very possible Dubas will be able to find a younger, and maybe cheaper, player who can match or exceed his production. Regardless of what the future holds, Malkin's legacy as is set. The three-time Stanley Cup champion has 514 goals and 1,346 points. He's also a seven-time NHL All-Star and a Conn Smythe and Hart Trophy winner as the MVP of a postseason and a regular season among his many accolades. When it comes to Malkin and the Penguins, stay tuned.
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