NFL Rumors: Kirk Cousins Asked For Falcons Exit in Meeting With Owner Arthur Blank

It looks like Kirk Cousins wants a fresh start in 2025.

Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported Friday that Cousins "asked for, and got" a meeting with Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank to discuss his future with the franchise. Breer reported that the meeting took place on Wednesday night and that Cousins hopes to end up somewhere he will start in 2025.

Cousins is entering the second year of his four-year, $180 million contract. He lost his starting job to rookie Michael Penix Jr. toward the end of the 2024 season.

Dianna Russini of The Athletic supplemented this by reporting that teams in the NFL have been told that Atlanta won't trade Cousins.

Cousins made 14 starts in 2024, throwing for 3,508 yards with 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions while leading the team to a 7-7 record.

He is a four-time Pro Bowler but his slide in 2024 caused the Falcons to turn to Penix, who looked promising in his limited action. With Atlanta likely sticking with Penix for 2025 and beyond, Cousins would be an extremely expensive backup and a large dead cap hit if he were cut.

Atlanta would take on $40 million in dead cap if they were to cut Cousins ahead of 2025, per Spotrac.

While his production was down in 2024, Cousins would still be an upgrade for several teams around the NFL. If he were to be cut by Atlanta, Cousins could sign a low-value contract and join a team in need of stability at the position.

While he awaits his future, the Falcons will need to decide whether he is worth keeping around or if it would be beneficial to take the dead cap hit.