- Kirk Cousins signed a massive four-year deal with the team earlier this year
Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is only in his first season with the team, but a pair of NFL reporters have speculated that a trade involving the passer could occur at the end of the season.
Cousins signed a four-year, $180million deal with Atlanta in March – including $100million guaranteed – but the team baffled fans the following month when they drafted quarterback Michael Penix No. 8 overall out of Washington.
And with the 6-5 Falcons uncertain to make the postseason, ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler believe a quarterback change could be in the cards depending on how the next six games go.
‘It remains to be seen how things turn out in Atlanta, but they haven’t gone as great as the Falcons imagined they would,’ Graziano wrote in an ESPN+ column.
‘And first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. is sitting there behind him and about to turn 25 in May. Could the Falcons make Cousins available in a trade after only one season if they think Penix is ready to go? He’d be an interesting veteran pickup for a team that thinks it’s close.’
Kirk Cousins is only in the first year of a four-year, $180million contract that he signed in March
He has played reasonably well but the team is 6-5 and Michael Penix Jr. is waiting in the wings
The Falcons drafted Penix with the No. 8 overall pick last spring and he is currently the backup
Fowler added that the next six weeks ‘could determine a lot about Cousins’ future,’ and added that the 36-year-old would have a trade market if Atlanta decided to move him.
‘Luckily for Atlanta, it doesn’t have to do anything right now,’ Fowler continued. ‘And Cousins very well could remain in a Falcons uniform if the next six games go well.’
Fowler added that Cousins – if moved – would prefer to go to a contending team, which would eliminate the quarterback-needy Giants and Raiders.
Cousins has played reasonably well this season, as his 255.2 passing yards per game is fourth among passers and he’s also thrown 17 touchdowns.
However, he’s also thrown nine interceptions, which only five players have topped thus far.
Cousins has also gone without a touchdown pass in the team’s last two games – both losses.
Following the Falcons’ Week 12 bye, they’ll look to get back on track this weekend vs. the Chargers.
