Recent GM comments show Falcons have no leverage in Kirk Cousins saga

Cousins' 2024 cap number is $40M — his $27.5M base salary and $12.5M in prorated signing bonus — far too much for a backup quarterback. A $10M roster bonus for 2026 becomes guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2025 league year (March 16).

Also on Tuesday, Fontenot highlighted the chasm between Cousins and Atlanta's coaching staff and front office.

The fifth-year general manager told reporters that the team was blindsided by Cousins' admission in early February that he suffered injuries to his throwing arm in Atlanta's Week 10 loss to the Saints, which marked the beginning of the Falcons' downfall following a 6-3 start.

"He was on the injury report heading into the Denver game," said Fontenot. 

The Falcons played the Broncos in Week 11, and Cousins was a full participant at practice despite being listed as suffering right shoulder and elbow injuries.

"He wasn't on the injury report any other times at any other points of the season, so we weren't aware of any injuries," Fontenot said.

When Fontenot says the team is "comfortable" retaining Cousins, he's more likely saying the Falcons have reached the acceptance phase in the stages of grief.

Cutting Cousins isn't an option. Atlanta would lose $25M by releasing him pre-June 1. It wouldn't save any money by releasing him post-June 1, with his $40M dead-cap charge equal to his 2025 cap number.

A trade is the only viable way for the Falcons to move on from Cousins, but his value has arguably never been lower. Any team acquiring him must have $27.5M in cap space to fit his guaranteed 2025 salary. After the season he had, ending 2024 with a league-high 16 interceptions despite only starting 14 games, no team should want Cousins at that price.

While the free-agent and 2025 NFL Draft quarterback classes are sparse, it would be smarter for other teams to kick the tires on a prospect or someone like Russell Wilson or Justin Fields. All would be cheaper — and possibly better — options than Cousins.

By trading Cousins before June 1, the Falcons would save $2.5M against the 2025 cap; they'd save $27.5M in a post-June 1 trade. But waiting has its drawbacks.

It would guarantee his $10M roster bonus in 2026, and Atlanta would also carry $25M in dead cap due to his $50M prorated signing bonus.

The Falcons made their bed, and now they're sleeping in it.