From franchise hope to full-blown headache: the $180 million signing that’s already haunting the Falcons

Sometimes, things just go wrong. There can be no rhyme, reason or real-world explanation to it, just that it was never destined to work out.

And that appears to be the case with Kirk Cousins.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was notably absent from the team’s voluntary organised team activities (OTAs), that took place on Tuesday, a shock that instantly began fuelling speculation about his future with the franchise who put so much work into bringing him in.

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million contract with the Falcons, with $100 million guaranteed, only in 2024. However, that money did not spur him on to greatness, and after 14 games he lost his starting position to rookie Michael Penix Jr. late last season after a series of underwhelming performances coupled with a shoulder injury.

‘I don’t think he’ll be there’

Without Cousins at the back, the Falcons, who had promised so much, never took off and ended the season with an 8-9 record, missing out on the playoffs by a significant margin in both numbers and performances.

“I don’t think he’ll be there,” head coach Raheem Morris warned via ESPN. “If he is, we’ll welcome him with open arms. But I’m not going to be foolish enough to get myself worked up and angry about Kirk Cousins missing voluntary workouts.”

Yahoo Sports write that Cousins has a no-trade clause in his mega-contract, but ”would reportedly be open to waiving it if the team found the right deal for the veteran”; they add that the hypothetical deal would need to see a side willing to take up “at least $20 million of his $37.5 million in guaranteed money.”

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They claim that the Falcons don’t seem too bothered about losing Cousins as Penix, who threw three touchdowns against three interceptions last season, is in line to start for the side in 2025.

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