Atlanta, Georgia – The Atlanta Falcons football team is currently facing the possibility of trading their high-priced quarterback Kirk Cousins. Last year, the team invested $100 million in Cousins before selecting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. as a top-10 pick just six weeks later. The recent speculation of a Cousins trade was addressed by General Manager Terry Fontenot during a pre-draft press conference on Wednesday.
Fontenot responded to a report from ESPN suggesting that the Falcons are looking for another team to cover $20 million of Cousins’s remaining $37.5 million in guaranteed money. While Fontenot did not disclose specific details of the discussions, he denied that they have set a specific number for the trade deal. He emphasized that it would be inaccurate to claim that they have already determined the amount they expect a new team to contribute.
Cousins, who holds a no-trade clause, has the final say on whether a trade will be executed. It is unlikely that he would agree to a trade with a team where he would not be the starting quarterback. Remaining as a backup quarterback may not be appealing to him, prompting him to stay with the Falcons. Additionally, it would be in Cousins’s best interest to train at the team facility as any potential injuries sustained elsewhere could jeopardize his remaining guarantees.
The situation surrounding Cousins’s potential trade adds an element of uncertainty to the Falcons’ quarterback situation. As the team navigates through this decision, they must consider various factors to ensure a favorable outcome for both the team and the player. The upcoming developments in this trade saga will undoubtedly have significant implications for the Falcons’ future.